Bow River shares its riches in centennial exhibit at Calgary's Glenbow Museum
by Jane Bateman
In celebration of Alberta's Centennial, The Glenbow Museum in Calgary is sharing the story and history of the Bow River. The show Our River: Journey of the Bow examines the Bow River from geological, cultural, historical and artistic perspectives.
Over the past century and a half the Bow River has had a varied and important history. At 623 km long, the river runs from the mountains to southeastern Alberta where it joins the Oldman and becomes the South Saskatchewan River. Because of its great length, the river has come in contact with many people over the years, making it a source of spiritual inspiration to quite a number of artists and cultures.
As the Bow River has been a source of subject matter for many artists over the past century and a half, a varied and impressive collection of artwork has been produced. The show features over 60 pieces, each unique in terms of subject matter and perspective.
The Bow River reflects the Three Sisters Mountains in Canmore in this undated painting titled "Ice and Still Water, Canmore" by Illingworth Kerr.
Closer to home for those of us in The Bow Valley, the show has several pieces of work by local, past and present artists. Some of the featured artists include H.G Glyde, A.C. Leighton, W.J Phillips, Carl Rungus, Margaret Shelton and A.Y Jackson. Many of these artists and several others, were art instructors, making The Banff Centre a hub for a colony of artists.
By the mid 1930s Banff was setting the foundation for artists to meet with each other and to paint the splendour of their surroundings. A.C Leighton held the first outdoor landscape art classes in Seebe, just east of Canmore, in 1933 and 1934. Included in this Bow River display are some beautiful old photographs of these classes. The work of these artists is traditional in terms of painting, drawing and printmaking. And what beautiful work it is. There are vibrant linoleum cuts of Mount Rundle by artists Walter J. Phillips and Margaret Dorothy Shelton.
On a grander scale, there is a huge oil painting by John Hammond, completed in 1890, of the Three Sisters Mountains with just a hint of smoke coming from the CPR train in the background. Other artists depict Bow Lake and the Vermillion Lakes, and even included in the show are several works by artist Kathleen Daly Pepper depicting local Canmore miners drinking beer in 1944. These works depict the mountains and the nearby communities from much earlier times, and while the towns surrounding them certainly have changed, the beauty of the mountains has not.
Moving away from traditional work towards the more abstract, a segment of the show titled Rhythm and Change explores the work of nine contemporary artists who portray the Bow River in a variety of media, including photography and mixed media. This segment of the show includes several large-scale canvas works by Dorothy Knowles, one of which is titled "Reflections on the Bow River." Her work is full of beautiful brushwork, which brings to light the textures and movements found in and around the Bow River.
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The Eau Claire Spillway on the Bow River, near the heart of present-day Calgary, is shown in this 1933 painting by Joseph Abraham Taylor.
A familiar name to those in the Bow Valley, local photographer Craig Richards has several of his photographs included in the show. Full of spectacular lighting, the subject matter and the large scale of these works evoke feelings of awe and beauty of the Bow River and its powerful surroundings.
In another contemporary piece, internationally acclaimed artist Mario Reis uses natural pigments and sediments on pieces of cotton, which were actually immersed at one time in the Bow River.
The show is well organized in terms of gently leading its viewers through a cohesive set of themes, each exploring the Bow from a different perspective.
Origins examines the geological origins of The Bow River in Banff National Park, relating to the natural environment and conservation, tourism and recreation. Gateway looks at the impact that several industries have had on the river; Foothills examines ranching and petroleum; Calgary addresses First Nations river crossings in Calgary, The North West Mounted Police as well as industries; and Downstream looks at irrigation and agribusiness as well as dryland ranching, fishing, settlement and significant river crossings. This part of the exhibit is extremely educational and fascinating in that it gives a good history of the Bow River and its place in society and the environment, from the past to the present. For fishing enthusiasts, there is a wonderful collection of artifacts. Scuba divers will find a fascinating old suit with the full helmet and footwear. With sounds of ducks and flowing water, this part of the exhibit really stresses the movement of the river and reminds the viewer of its vitality and just how alive and dynamic it really is.
Whether you fish on the Bow, travel its waters, admire its beauty, or use it for artistic subject matter, the Bow has no doubt affected southern Albertans in some way. Certainly to those of us in the Bow Valley, it sheds light on the relationship that those from other communities or cities have had with it.
From the beautiful artworks that span more than a century to the interactive and historical history, Our River: Journey of the Bow, will forever change how you view this magnificent and grand river.
If You Go:
Our River: Journey of the Bow runs until June 5 at the Glenbow Museum in Calgary, located in the heart of the city at 130-9th Avenue S.E. Museum hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Sunday, and extended hours on Thursdays to 9 p.m.
For 24-hour information on current exhibitions, programs, events and parking details please call (403) 268-4100 or visit www.glenbow.org.
Jane Batemen is a Canmore-based writer, who lives, like most who call this valley home, not far from the banks of the Bow River.
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