Sculptor Peter Sawatzky Receives Heartfelt Gift at Ceremony

On Thursday, October 5, 2023, renowned sculptor Peter Sawatzky was moved to tears during the opening ceremony for the Peter Sawatzky Sculpture Park at the Riverbank Discovery Centre in Manitoba. He received an unexpected gift from fellow artist Weiming Zhao, a painting that captured Sawatzky in front of his striking bronze sculpture of 11 caribou crossing a river.

Emotional Moment at the Ribbon-Cutting

As the ceremony unfolded, Sawatzky expressed his deep surprise and gratitude. “I was in total shock, I got emotional,” he said. “But it meant an awful lot to me. It was a real honour, very heartwarming.” The painting was born from a warm evening in July, when Zhao was invited to create a piece while Sawatzky made a public presentation in front of his caribou sculpture.

Zhao, a Brandon University alumnus, had been asked by the Riverbank staff to set up his easel without specific instructions on what to paint. “When I saw him standing in front of his sculpture talking to the crowd, I thought, ‘Wow, that’s what I’m doing,’” Zhao recalled. This spontaneous artistic collaboration led to a memorable moment for both artists.

A Lasting Tribute

After finishing the painting, Zhao handed it over to the Riverbank staff, who framed it and presented it to Sawatzky during the ceremony. The emotional impact of the gesture resonated with Sawatzky, who has since placed the painting in a “place of honour” in his home. “It’s in the middle of my kitchen right now, where I look out every day,” he shared, adding that he sees it multiple times a day.

Located at the Riverbank Discovery Centre, the newly established sculpture park features six bronze sculptures created by Sawatzky, including the magnificent caribou piece that inspired Zhao’s painting. Other sculptures in the park include a pair of great blue herons, a curious bear, and a doe with her fawn.

Zhao, who moved to Brandon in 1991 as an international student, has developed a reputation for his artwork that celebrates iconic scenes of the Wheat City and surrounding western Manitoba. He noted that he has painted all of Sawatzky’s sculptures except for the great blue herons, which he promises to tackle in the future. “Peter is such a deserving artist,” Zhao remarked. “It’s been amazing to meet him.”

The heartfelt exchange between these two artists highlights the strong sense of community and mutual respect in the artistic landscape of Manitoba. As Sawatzky continues to contribute to the local culture through his sculptures, the connection formed with Zhao will undoubtedly inspire further creative collaborations.