South Granville’s artwalk, a retrospective appraisal of works in seven South Granville galleries. TIS very seldom that this column undertakes a broad survey of the gallery scene in Vancouver, or even of a 8 particular portion of it. This is generally because such an endeavor in the space provided here does not permit the precise thematic focus or unified philo- sophical perspective that a self- respecting art review generally re- quires. But last Saturday, as | strolled at leisure through art galleries par- ticipating in the South Granville Artwalk, it occured to me that this was an activity not without virtues worthy of being shared. After all, if an “artwalk’’ such as the Harmony Festivai’s Artbeat — a municipally engineered event — was sufficient to merit a discur- sive appraisal in these pages, why not a pilgrimage through some of - the most esteemed commercial galleries in Vancouver? If nothing else it would permit a succinct personal evaluation of a broad spectrum of professional ar- tists. . - With that objective in view | here retrace the four-hour odyssey of Oct. 2, exhuming the purely cursory observations | ‘buried in my mind as | proceeded on my circumambulatory tour of the seven South Granville galleries ! was able to visit that afternoon. At the Diane Farris Gallery Judith Currelly's “Northern Im- ages’’ were on display, the abun- dance of wine and cheese in- dicating an opening of sorts. Consisting mostly of finely ex- ecuted oils on ‘uniquely prepared” plywocd panels of reasonably substantial size, these works represent a further explora- tion of themes previously pursued by the artist. Barren northern landscapes abound, often juxtaposing mi- nutely detailed closeups of rock and stone (in which animal skulls, antlers, shells and petroglyphs largely prefigure) with aerial perspectives of the Far North, predominated by glacial iceflows. Evident in all this is a philo- sophical outlook which is abun- dantly emphasized by Currelley’s repeated references to the wildlife and native myths one assumes to be distinctively associated with this remote landscape. One block north, the Douglas Udell Gallery had kicked off its new season with a group show of thematically unzelated works ranging from serigraphs by Christopher Pratt and Alex Coville to a selection of mundane small oils trickled from the ranks of the Group of Seven. The most interesting works on hand were Joe Fafard’s exactingly painted and detailed bronze sculptures of Renoir and Henri Richard. - With an upcoming Elsbeth Rodger exhibit in the works it is obvious that the current display was just so much enticingly calculated tourist fodder. At Petley Jones a “sensitive’’ but otherwise uninspiring series of mixed media monoprints and paintings by Doris Livingstone was in evidence. Delving into the mythos of ancient Egypt, these pieces reflect, in an abstractive and lyrically evocative way, her recent visit there. At the Heffel Gallery | was again savagely assaulted by the apocalyptic expressionism of Werner Liebmann. | say “again” because this was the third time | was drawn into the orbit of these powerful and disturbing parables AC Ron Falcioni ART REVIEW of discontent. With titles like Arsonist, Faustkampf, and The Warrior, these are clearly extrapolations of post-wall East German angst of a highly volatile and visionary nature. To pass from the Heffel Gallery to Equinox was not unlike passing from darkness into light. Unfortunately it was not a light of revelation such as might il- luminate the dark soul of Lieb- mann’s world. Rather it was the sharp, clear, radiant light of late summer in Weymouth, Nova Scotia. In William Robert's latest series of acrylics, mainly large stilt lifes and composed studies of whitewashed houses bathed in morning sunlight, one can almost feel the heat of long, langurous summer days. The accessibility of these works reflects the facile self-assuredness of the accomplished commercial artist. No deep messages here, just a workaday devotion to craft and a fixation with naturalistic detail. Michael Abraham's exhibit at the Sinton Patrich Gallery had vir- tually completed its run by the time | miade my appearance. Having previewed the show with the artist prior to its opening, | was: well acquainted with its dreamlike whimsicality. “Refined Storybook Naive’’ might aptly describe Abraham’s highly personal forays into alle- gorical fantasy. While these works have a sac- charine quality that will not appeal! to everyone, they cultivate a childlike perception whose technically polished simplicity is refreshing and whose evolution might well prove interesting to follow. * quality wine * choose from 32 varieties * we make it - you enjoy the savings * still time for Xmas wine AN open 11:00am McWines closed Wed. 0 Winemaker 149 West 31d St., N.Van. 987-1411 Finally, at the Threshold Gallery | was to behnid some of the most unique pieces encountered on my circuitous expedition. Fine examples of pre-Columbian ceramics were in evidence. Also several paperborn werks of in- triguing, technical complexity. But the real attraction here was the sculpture, especially Alejandro Colunga’s The Flying Rascal, a 3C-inch bronze voodoo figure bas- ed on macumba, the Brazilian black magic. What can be said of the forego- ing exercise in hit-and-run critical evaluation? . In the end critical appraisal, however astute, is always a matter of opinion. The above approach makes no pretense at providing profound evaluation. But if this particular excursion prompts the reader to relinquish his easychair and get out to judge for himself the shows summarized here, it will more than have served its purpose. 100% COTTONIP TAKaya Golf Centre Mondays Tuesdays TAKaya Days - Ladies Nite | Free Token for Ladies between 6-8 PM - Happy Hour 6-8 PM All you can hit for $10 & free Hors d'oeuvres Wednesdays - Rookie Nite Thursdays Fridays Saturday # CLOWN PRINTS i ANIMAL PRINTS f HALLOWEEN PRINTS ¥ DOTS... 4 STRIPES... PUMPKIN & TRANSFERS 1 I SOLIDS... Save $2.00 on Ciub & Bucket Rental - Happy Hour 6-8 PM. All you can hit for $10 & tree Hors d'oeuvres - Seniors Day Seniors play for 2 for 1 All Day! - Family Day Free 1/2 Bucket for Children undeg §2 accompanied by adult B ‘ ef \, eon VANCOUVER 4 j { _ SALE! | COSTUME MAKERS DELIGHT! WLUE iH ONE LOW ICE! ! CHOICE PRICE! 1,000's of Meters! COSTUME PROPS MAKE-UP KITS EA. _ Special Purchase