May 6 - 28, 2011
In Fall 2010 I visited Wanda to see her 25-year survey exhibition On the Edge of Experience at the Winnipeg Art Gallery. This exhibition was scheduled to travel to the National Gallery in Ottawa, but I was curious to see it at the WAG first. I was lucky enough to tour the exhibition with photographer Bill Eakin. What struck me as particularly engaging was “The Studio Room”, a salon-style hanging of paintings, drawings and video combined with cases of personal items, maquettes and notes from Koop’s studio hung in a way that only Wanda can.
After seeing “The Studio Room” re-imagined once more at the National Gallery of Canada in February, I proposed to Wanda that we do something similar here in London. This exhibition is a collaboration between Wanda and myself. Through many discussions and looking at historical inventory, we have put together an exhibition that gives an overview of her important history as a painter. What Wanda has shared with us is a true moment in time. Thank you Wanda, Bruce, Steve and Bill for your efforts.