Robert Guest 2017: His Art / His Legacy
Robert Guest
Robert Guest 2017: His Art / His Legacy
July 10, 2017 - October 1, 2017
Robert Guest will be remembered as a passionate artist dedicated to his craft and to helping others to discover their artistic voice. He lived his dream everyday. Working in the wilderness for many years as a forest tower fire watcher he gained an insight into nature that few people do in our fast-paced world. He translated memories of forest fires, moonlit nights, Nose Mountain near Grande Cache, the Rockies, and the changing seasons into a lasting gift: a visual record of the Peace country.
About The Artist
I met Robert when I became Director/Curator of the newly established Prairie Gallery in 1986. At that time the permanent collection was made up of less than 20 pieces. Through Robert’s generosity, along with countless others, the collection now exceeds 600 works. Only months before his passing he donated a pencil drawing from 2011 and a pen and ink piece from 1958. The pencil drawing can be seen in this exhibition.
Robert was instrumental in the formation of the Peace Watercolour Society, the Prairie Gallery Society (now the Art Gallery of Grande Prairie), was one of the first Visual Art instructors at Grande Prairie Regional College, and was on the board of the Alberta Art Foundation. Many other clubs and organizations across the Peace region benefited from his knowledge and enthusiasm.
Robert Guest passed away June 13, 2017. I, along with the Art Gallery of Grande Prairie offer our deepest condolences to Robert’s family and take comfort in knowing he will always be remembered through his art, kind spirit, and mentorship qualities. I would like to thank the Art Gallery of Grande Prairie for giving me the honour to curate this tribute exhibition.
Carmen Haakstad
Guest Curator
All works are from the Art Gallery of Grande Prairie permanent collection.
