The printing making skills of the late Andrew King were out on display again at the Estevan Art Gallery and Museum (EAGM). Many locals from around the community came to look at some King’s most rare pieces of artwork.
The art gallery held a reception on Friday night to celebrate the artwork of King and Sheila Farstad, who had a spate exhibit.
The EAGM has the largest collection of Andrew King artwork in the country. This is because King lived here in southeast Saskatchewan for quite some time. During his life he owned and operated the Estevan Mercury. King was a printer and innovator, and his talents were related to the printing process such as posters, flyers and brochures.
“Between 1911 and 1958 King owned and operated the following print-based companies; the Rouleau Enterprise, Enterprise Show Prints, King & Show Prints and lastly the Estevan Mercury,” said Amber Andersen who is EGAM’s director.
King’s notable speciality was his use of primary colours such as red, yellow, blue and white for example. His use of primary colours in his work wasn’t a stylistic choice, but a business one, Andersen said.
Primary colours do not need to be mixed and right from factory they are ready to be used as ink for printing purposes. This knowledge that King had gained saved a great deal of money during his career but also unintentionally gave his work a very unique look.
Andersen gave a detailed and passionate speech about King, his work, his life and his contribution to the Estevan community.
“Born in 1885 in Winnipeg, Andrew King grew up in rural Manitoba and in rural Saskatchewan and upon marrying purchased his first newspaper in rural Saskatchewan,” said Andersen.
“King developed a passion for wood, for whittling, for craving and for the written word. King would spend hours writing and reading. These skills would serve him well later in life,” she added.
The most difficult part about King’s career was the constraints of the time period he was living in. A lot of his work, before it could become a paper product that would be sold, viewed and appreciated, had to physically carved into a wood block or blocks, then put into a printing press.
Approximately 100 people who attended the reception came to look at the artwork that was on display. The event shows a well-rounded collection of King’s work throughout his career.
“Our purpose tonight was to showcase a varied selection of King’s that work that best reflects his entire artistic career,” said Andersen.
The work of King will be on display along side Farstad’s works from Nov. 17 to Dec. 8. Everyone is welcome to come and enjoy the artwork of local artists and view the legacy of King’s artistic career.
This week’s edition of the Lifestyles will have more on Farstad’s work.
