William Kurelek: The Messenger, Winnipeg Art Gallery, September 29 - December 31, 2011, also shown at the Hamilton Art Gallery, January 28 - April 29, 2012 and the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, May 25 - September 3, 2012
Literature
Tobi Bruce, Mary Jo Hughes and Andrew Kear (eds.), William Kurelek: The Messenger, Altona, Manitoba, 2011, reproduced page 191 (plate 85), listed page 239
Originally a wedding gift from William Kurelek to a couple within the Ukrainian community, the painter personalized the artwork, not only with an inscription on the reverse, but also with the inclusion of the bride and groom’s initials on the handle of the gardening tool, within small diamonds, popping with Kurelek’s signature day-glow orange. The couple’s initials occupy the outside of the three shapes, the centre inscribed with a capital “G”, the space within the composition, and marriage, reserved for God. The three-pronged relationship of husband/wife/God was central to Kurelek’s catholic faith, making the brightly-coloured hand rake a perfect vehicle for the painter’s multi- faceted message, a function of many of the artist’s most compelling artwork.
Kurelek crafted a beautifully-coloured and layered frame to house “Hand Rake/Three to Get Married”, complementing a work which was a proud focus and reminder within the family’s home. Given its striking nature, also evidence of Kurelek’s mastery of the trompe-l’oeil technique, it is no surprise that the artwork was chosen to represent William Kurelek’s portrayal of implements in 2011/2012’s major travelling retrospective exhibition, William Kurelek: The Messenger.
