Pnina Granirer - The Love Making of Art

By ArtistsInCanada Interview January 13, 2003

Pnina Granirer. The Love Making of Art By Paul Constable

When I first saw the work of Vancouver artist Pnina Granirer I found it humbly erotic, very bold and gutsy, somewhat abstract - yet realistic, always explorative, never hindered or timid, always fresh and involving. Ever since man first walked upright, he realized the burning embers of a stick, once cold, could release the power of finding one’s self, individualism, expression and communication. These powers once unleashed on the surface of the cave wall, became sacred to be viewed by those who wished to remember images so singular and universal, which told the same story for all time. Today those themes reoccur in varied forms, but they are still about - life, death, the hunt, and the celebration. The artist became the recorder of this rich existence.

Granirer’s Dance figures from the “Dancers’ Suite”, are centered in the essence of the gesture drawing. The connection of varied line, the thrust of bodies, smell of sweat streaking down bare limbs– the pounding is in my ears. Fleshy shapes escape the gestural framework that give to lightened figures, flying vicariously across surfaces, running with the colours of the hunt. I feel the frenzied energy all around me. I want to be one with the dancers and feast beneath the primeval light. Shadows merge on ochre walls cast by torch light, then fall back to the black of the celestial opening.

When she draws, I feel it is with her whole body. There is none of that wimpy back and forth scratching of the surface. She lays the charcoal or brush down on its side if she has to, even if she ruins the bristles or breaks the pastel to achieve the desired line. Leans on the handle and puts the figure in with authority. That’s what makes the hair stand up on the back of my neck. I have always wondered why the most powerful drawings come from smaller, slighter built, even timid people. Granirer has an ability to connect herself with her subject matter and become a conduit of that energy for her own personal interpretation. What is unique is, she doesn’t lose sight of what information is important to put down. This is openly shared with those who wish to experience, learn and to remember. 

Pnina Granirer’s accomplishments are numerous over the past 40 years. I encourage you to visit her web site to view more of her work that we unfortunately could not include. http://www.pninagranirer.com/ If you wish to email her, I’m sure she would be glad to hear from you. granirer@interchange.ubc.ca _________________________________________________

Paul Constable is the Director of Artists In Canada. He is a Painter / Printmaker and Senior Graphic Designer for an Advertising and Communications company in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Paul Constable can be reached by email HERE. His paintings may be viewed at: www.ArtistsInCanada.com/pconstable. Your suggestions for future articles are welcome.

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© 2003 ArtistsInCanada.com

• Posted: 2003-01-13