“Counting Crows”, the newest exhibit on display at the Crowsnest Pass
Public Art Gallery, opened on Saturday, October 29th with a reception attended by dozens of art enthusiasts.
The exhibit features four dozen pieces by four Alberta-based artists - Kathryn Manry, Natalie Kurzuk, Pam Weber, and Penny Corradine - all of whom focus on depicting the mysterious birds.
Manry, Kurzuk and Corradine were all present to discuss their work and interests with visitors at the reception, which also featured a tai chi performance by Jane Sponiar.
Sponiar performed a series of four tai chi routines, which demonstrated the ideas of “the flow of the crow through tai chi” and “the freedom of flight and movement through air”.
Kurzuk, who has 10 paintings and a wire sculpture of a crow on display in the show, said she began focussing on crows in her work four years ago while living in Victoria.
On the day that would have been her father’s 100th birthday, she observed a large gathering of crows in a tree in her yard.
“I asked them why they had come and what messages they had from the spiritual world,” said Kurzuk.
“They were just very content and quiet, and I knew everything was fine.”
She said the birds proceeded to remain quietly in the tree, prompting her to grab her camera and photograph the birds, leading her to develop a strong spiritual connection with the birds.
She has been painting birds for the past three years, and was approached last year by Manry, who was interested in exhibiting with other artists who paint crows.
The pair discussed the possibility of finding more like-minded artists and doing a group show, and sent out a proposal to eight galleries, getting an approval back from five.