Peter Vogelaar
Rebirth
Inspired by the strong Doukhobor community of the Kootenays, I thought I would try creating a Matryoshka with local flavour. The theme of regeneration after a forest fire carries right up from the sculpted concrete tree trunk. I was able to use some Yukon jade in her necklace, This was my second mosaic piece and was a co-winner of the People's Choice award in 2021
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In late 2024, it was installed at the front entrance of the new Visitor Centre in Castlegar.
Rebirth - back
I created the design as I went, just sketching out the elements with chalk. It was a very time consuming project, but I am very happy with the results. I see more opportunities to create work that combines the welded steel and mosaic.
Metamorphosis
I was inspired by images of dancers wearing Monarch butterfly cloaks. It started out "russian" but I made her Ukrainian. Look closely to see her embroidered blouse, sunflowers and the blue and yellow in the skirt.
Metamorphosis - back
This one was an evolution as well. I worked in a variety of foliage motifs and then let the bottom of the caterpillar go into a pixelated jungle. After a year on exhibit in Oak Bay, it was in Penticton for 2023. In 2024, it was included in Sioux Falls Sculpturewalk, and 2025 moved east to Mankato, MN.
Van Goghs's Cat
A combination of welded steel knockouts and glass mosaic tiles over a steel tank. This piece began as fun question. Did Van Gogh have a cat? I had some fun adding the blue tiles to its paw and a few other features to tie in with Van Gogh. Very happy to say that this one was the winner of the Peoples Choice Award in Castlegar in 2024 and will soon be installed in the Castlegar Airport. Look for it there !