Sculptures by Saskatchewan artist Joe Fafard featured on new stamps
OTTAWA, Feb. 23, 2012 /CNW/ - Canada Post issued three stamps today in
the ongoing Art Canada series, celebrating the work of contemporary
Saskatchewan-based sculptor Joe Fafard. The stamp designs showcase the
rich diversity of subject matter, approach and choice of media Mr.
Fafard has explored throughout his career.
For years, the Art Canada series has showcased the best of Canadian art
with a focus on two dimensional images. "Featuring work by a sculptor
has added an additional challenge," says stamp designer Hélène
L'Heureux. "First, to select three flagship works representative of the
artist's versatility; then, to present the three works from the right
angle-of-view. The camera had to capture the best angle for the formal
layout and also showcase the details of each sculpture."
Throughout his career, Joe Fafard has fashioned many sculptures of
animals, with an emphasis on cows and bulls. The domestic PERMANENT™
stamp features one of Mr. Fafard's popular bovine sculptures, a work
cast in bronze called Smoothly She Shifted.
The U.S. stamp in this year's Art Canada issue features Dear Vincent, a painted earthenware sculpture depicting Dutch artist Vincent Van
Gogh. The sculpture presents the painter, palette in one hand, lit
candle in the other, painted in colours Van Gogh often used in his
paintings.
The international stamp showcases a sculpture called Capillery, depicting three horses laser-cut from steel and bronze. A horse is
also featured on the First Day Cover for the Art Canada Issue, this
time in the form of a detailed charcoal drawing called Fancy.
These stamps are not the first time Joe Fafard has had a connection to
the post. His father, Leopold Victor Fafard, was the Postmaster for the
small town prairie post office of Ste. Marthe-Rocanville, Saskatchewan.
As a means of honouring both Fafard and the town, Canada Post has
chosen Ste. Marthe-Rocanville as the honourary cancellation site of the
issue's Official First Day Cover.
PERMANENT™ stamps are available in panes of 16 stamps. U.S. and
International stamps are both available in booklets of six stamps.
Souvenir sheets of three stamps, uncut press sheets and gutter product
are also available. Canada Post is also pleased to offer a limited
edition sheet - only 1500 created - featuring four souvenir sheets with
stamps in all three denominations and two PERMANENT™ domestic-rate
panes - plus Fancy, a charcoal sketch finished with a unique tinted
varnish treatment.
Additional information about Canadian stamps can be found in the news
section of Canada Post's website, and photos of these new stamps are
also available. Stamps and other products will be available at
participating post offices, or can be ordered online by following the
links at canadapost.ca/collecting, or by mail order from the National
Philatelic Centre. From Canada and the USA, call toll-free
1-800-565-4362, and from other countries, call 902 863-6550.
Image with caption: "Fafard's popular bovine sculpture (CNW Group/Canada Post)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120223_C6743_PHOTO_EN_10354.jpg
