A Cowichan Valley artist has captured the attention of two international art exhibitions.
Jock Hildebrand, well known locally for both his art, and for serving as the president and founder of the Cowichan Public Art Gallery, has been invited to show his work at the XIV Biennale of Contemporary Art and Design in Florence, Italy, and the Moon Art Fair in Hamburg, Germany.
“These two invitations are a real surprise and I feel incredibly honored to have received them, and, at this late stage of my career they are very welcome,” said Hildebrand in a press release.
The artist, who now lives in Maple Bay and whose career spans almost 50 years, was invited to both juried exhibitions without even having to apply.
The Biennale has previously awarded such artists as Marina Abramović, David Hockney, Christo & Jeanne-Claude, and Anish Kapoor.
“I have devoted my life to things artistic; it has been the sum total of my life and I hold nothing so dear. When I approach the arts, it is with the thread of a lifetime of creative considerations. Joyful art-making is my currency, and this is what I bring to all my work,” Hildebrand said.
Through five decades he has produced monumental sculptural artworks on almost every continent in the world.
“I care about the impact my public art brings to communities. I care that what I do is honest, careful, considered, and brings light and joy to my audience. I really don’t care where I stand in the light of historical art movements. My work must speak for itself, though it has been spoken of by many.”
For more information about Jock Hildebrand and his work, check out his website at www.jockhildebrand.com.