Perivale Gallery hosted its final exhibition for renowned Manitoulin artist Ivan Wheale, who passed away in September. The show features his final works alongside an upcoming tribute in Gore Bay.
SPRING BAY—Attending the official opening of Perivale Gallery and the unveiling of the latest works by renowned Manitoulin artist Ivan Wheale is among the most anticipated events of the late spring calendar for The Expositor. Alas, this year show, ‘THROUGH IVAN’S EYES - A NORTHERN VISION LIVES ON,’ will draw a curtain on Mr. Wheale’s exhibitions at the opening as he passed away in September—ending a tradition that hails back more than four decades—but thankfully the gallery soldiers on.
In fact, the current size of the gallery is largely due to Mr. Wheale’s influence, as the large gallery room at the end of the building was added on by current owner Shannon McMullan’s parents specifically because of Ivan. Previously, the building was smaller and then owners, Sheila and Bob McMullan, operated it with the various antiques. Mr. Wheale was a friend of the couple from his days in Sudbury and one day when he was visiting he observed that he thought his paintings would look really good there. Soon were gone the antiques and Northern Ontario’s premier art gallery was born.
The mood at the opening was tinged with a bit of melancholy, with Mr. Wheale’s custom easel competing for focal point with the outstanding collection of his last works, including the incredible ‘Tranquility’ which was his final completed work (to which he slipped out of his hospice bed in the Manitoulin Health Centre to complete). That work deftly demonstrates the grasp of light of which he was most proud. Upon the easel sits the final painting his illness would not let him finish.
Subscribe now and have access to all our stories, enjoy exclusive content and stay up to date with constant updates.