LISSA ALEXANDER
reporter@pqbnews.com
World renowned artist, illustrator and author Charles van Sandwyk will take a local audience to another time and place on Tuesday, as he comes to Bowser for some storytelling, book signings and questions.
Van Sandwyk is known for his old-world, whimsical style in creating vivid watercolour art, etchings, cards and hand-bound books.
He was born in Johannesburg, South Africa in 1966 and emigrated with his family to Vancouver in 1977. Much of his early work was influenced by the old prints and paintings which hung in his childhood home.
He studied graphic design at Capilano College before travelling to the Fiji Islands and falling in love with the remote area. His first book A Selection of Neighbourly Birds, illustrated with etchings and printed on an antique intaglio press, garnered him an Alcan award. He has gone on to win a number of prestigious awards for his work over the years (which includes a number of books) and today his work is collected around the world. The National Library of Canada has maintained archives of his work since 1986. He continues to divide his time between Fiji and Vancouver.
Van Sandwyk will be visiting the Salish Sea Market in Bowser August 6 at 2 p.m. Lauri Gwilt, part owner of the Bowser Gallery, said to see his work in person is to truly appreciate how special it is.
“Each-book is hand-bound, and every image is inserted by hand. The paper is exquisite, as is the printing. His books become treasured heirlooms, his cards are often more than just given – they become framed so the recipients can enjoy them every day.”
A recent CD of his stories and songs transcends people to another time and place, Gwilt said, as if you’re in a rocking chair on the porch beside him, hanging on his every word.
People are encouraged to bring their own chair to the market to sit and enjoy the stories.
For more on Van Sandwyk visit www.cvsfinearts.com. For more on the Salish Sea Market visit the Facebook Page or call 778-424-2012.