Martha Street Studio is pleased to announce a solo exhibition by Leo Simoens. Spanning approximately 30 years of production, this print-based retrospective features work that highlights the artist’s particular relationship to landscape, meditation and contemplation. Pre-occupied with how ‘forgotten corners’ of the landscape can evoke, on the one hand, feelings of sadness and melancholy and on the other, hope and well being, Simoens strives ‘to produce images that communicate an aesthetic awareness of our places’. Working primarily with the intaglio process, Simoens utilizes varied linework, aquatint, mezzotint and even hand colouring to realize his ambitions. This exhibition offers the rare opportunity to experience a major selection of Simoens' work, representing the breadth of his professional practice.
Simoens, a lifelong Manitoban and long-standing member of the Winnipeg arts community, graduated from the University of Manitoba School of Art with a BFA Honours in 1974. In addition to his art practice, he has worked as a graphic designer and taught drawing and graphic design at Red River College in Winnipeg. His work resides in numerous private, public and corporate collections including the National Film Board, Manitoba Arts Council Art Bank, Great West Life and Culture Heritage & Tourism Manitoba.