Wanda Slawik says art has become her second language.
Winnipeg artist Wanda Slawik will display her artwork at the Golden Prairie Arts Council from May 1 to June 30
Born in Poland and now living in Canada for more than four decades, the Winnipeg-based artist says art has transformed who she is as a person.
“I didn’t know who I was before I became an artist,” she said. “Creating is an inseparable part of my life. It’s a way to express myself — the best way.”
From May 1 to June 30, more than 25 of Slawik’s pieces will be on display at the Golden Prairie Arts Council, featuring some of her favourite works. A welcome reception will also be held at GPAC on Saturday, May 9, from 1 to 3 p.m.
Working primarily in pastels, Slawik also uses watercolour, acrylic and oil paints to create a variety of subjects. Her favourite pieces to create are landscapes, often inspired by her own photographs.
“Landscapes are the power of me,” she added. “It’s what drives me as an artist.”
She explained that each piece is fuelled by her creativity while drawing inspiration from real-life references. Once an image is selected, she aims to stay true to both herself and the reference photo while adding unique artistic elements.
“Getting the idea is the hardest part,” she said. “Once it is on paper, it’s super easy.”
Slawik is a trained multimedia artist who graduated from the High School of Fine Arts in Warsaw, Poland. She said her education gave her a new perspective on life.
“Everywhere I look, there is something to create.”
Displaying her work at GPAC was an easy decision following her first exhibit there three years ago. She described GPAC as “one of the best galleries in Manitoba,” adding that small, rural galleries help the art community and culture thrive — something she believes is vital for the future of artists.
“We are a group of people without a voice,” she said. “We don’t exist in political language and we are consistently overlooked by the government. Art has more power than medicine. We need to be opening more galleries, having more public spaces for artists to share their work and filling all the blank walls with art.”
She added that for her, it is not about commission, but about sharing the importance of creativity.
“Artists should have the right to share their art and I want to help open the door for other artists. I like opening people’s eyes to the beauty.”
She hopes visitors who view her display at GPAC will leave with a renewed sense of meaning.
“I hope they will take away a sense of peace and assurance,” she added. “We live in an amazing province and its beauty deserves to be shared.”
