2017 Penticton Public Sculpture Exhibition Selected Artists
Zohreh
Vahidifard
Clint George
Iran’s cultural and artistic history over thousands of years is well-known, so it
is little wonder that a vibrant contemporary art scene flourishes in the
country – Zohreh Vahidifard is a sculptor and painter who is part of it.
Vahidifard has mounted seven solo exhibitions and been part of over 70
collective shows of her history/fable-based sculptures and paintings. Her
work has been displayed nationally and in Europe. Interested in art from an
early age, the Teheran sculptor has a Master’s degree in her two main
disciplines. Prior to obtaining her degree she considered studies and a career
in medicine but opted to pursue her first passion. She started with drawing,
painting decorations and graphics but recognized sculpture would enable
greater freedom of expression, “the need for more and varied space” as she
puts it. Her works are often based on historical events/traditional stories,
continuing the majestic legacy of Iranian art and culture that has been
nurtured for centuries.
Clint George, a lifelong artist began as a tattoo artist in Penticton 25
years ago. He owned two tattoo shops before deciding to do metal
sculpture full time. His father, Grant George, taught him how to weld
and create art and Clint took off from there. A resident of the
Penticton Indian Band, much of Clint's art is based on his Indigenous
traditional teachings. He has completed work for various organizations,
companies, events, and individuals. His outdoor sculptures have been
featured by Westbank First Nation, Penticton Indian Band, and the
cities of Castlegar, Nelson, and Prince George. His indoor sculptures
are featured publicly and privately all over British Columbia.
Pat Field is a long time sculptor and currently resides in Okanagan Falls and has
a studio in Penticton. He has worked on many public commissions in granite,
marble, wood, bronze and mixed media.
Patrick Field
Serge lives in Vancouver, immigrated to Canada from Ukraine where he
graduated from professional college as a wood carver. Selected shows:
Castlegar Sculpture Walk 2011-2016; Sioux Falls Sculpture Walk (SD,US)
2010‐2015; Eau Claire Sculpture Tour (WI,US)2011-2013; Mankato
Walking Sculpture Tour (MN,US) 2012-2015; Mason City Sculptures on
Parade (IA,US) 2014-2016
Serge Mozhnevsky
Paul was born in Calgary, Alberta on April 25, 1974. At the age of six, his
family moved to the picturesque community of Crawford Bay, British
Columbia. Growing up surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of the
Kootenay region’s mountains and lakes instilled in Paul, a love of nature
that inspires much of his art to this day. At the age of 15, Paul began his
blacksmithing apprenticeship at the Kootenay Forge under the mentorship
of John Smith. When Paul was 20 years old, he became the head
blacksmith at Fort Steele Heritage Town, just outside of Cranbrook, BC. In
2001, at the age of 26, Paul began his own blacksmithing business with six
employees. Today, Paul lives with his wife and two children in Cranbrook.
Paul Reimer
Family and community involvement are the most important elements of
Paul’s life. Through his early public art projects he was able to facilitate substantial positive
changes in the way that people in Cranbrook relate to their community and to each other. He
has since been able to bring that same spirit of community building with public art projects to
many other cities.
Michael Hermesh, born in 1955, studied art at Okanagan University
College and the Vancouver School of Art (Emily Carr). He also has
extensive experience in furniture design and ornamental carving. His
primary interest is figurative sculpture and painting. Current Public
Art Installations: 2011 Permanent Plaster Installation "Getting to
Know You" Ruby Blues Winery (Penticton); 2009 short-listed North
Michael Hermesh Vancouver Light Pole Project; 2009 short-listed for Summerland
Spirit Square Project; 2008 short-listed for the Penticton Spirit
Square public art project; 2008 permanent bronze installation “Mocking Bird in an
Orange Bush” Lloyd Gallery (Penticton); 2006 to Dec 2010 participant in the YVR
Vancouver International Public Art Program; 2006 permanent bronze installation “The
Baggage Handler” Red Rooster Winery (Penticton); 2004 City of Penticton “The Baggage
Handler” Installation.