Icons and urban legends meet in the Graffiti Gallery’s latest group exhibition, Legends, Heroes, Myths and Such.

Judging by the mixture of artwork in the exhibition, people’s heroes, myths and legends vary greatly. A unicorn, a sasquatch, a phoenix, martyrs, porn stars and the list goes on and on.

The diversity of the depictions speaks directly to the diversity of the artists in the exhibition.

“The show is a thank you to all those people who have been supporting us,” said Pat Lazo, the show organizer and the Graffiti Gallery’s artistic director.

The show includes an interesting mix of over 30 artists, some of whom include volunteers and people who promote the Graffiti Gallery. There is a wide array of people who give their support: fine arts grads, tattoo artists, emerging artists, established artists, art teachers and artists who have never been in an art show.

Some standout work by Becky Lynne Thiessen depicts owls and eagles made of multicoloured pieces of fabric. Both texturally interesting and engaging, these portrayals of animals are symbolic and cathartic for Thiessen.

“The eagle comes to take the spirit away. The legend of the wise old owl is about karma. But I say, ‘fuck karma,’” Thiessen said.

Takashi Iwasaki, director of Winnipeg’s Semai gallery, has included three artworks in the show. At first glance you might think that his work is digitally made, but a closer look reveals them to be collages. Focusing on urban legends of Winnipeg, Iwasaki’s masterfully hand-cut collage work depicts mosquitoes, the Golden Boy and the masons.

The most striking of the three pieces is one depicting people moving in and out of downtown and living in the suburbs.

“I’m really happy they included me in this exhibit. What would a show about legends be without a picture of a sasquatch?” said Greg Oakes, arguably Winnipeg’s answer to Robert Crumb.

In his painting called Yummy, the infamous Sasquatch is seen licking a bloody finger. The way the hair is painted in the piece could rival the animated hair in any Pixar movie.

Don Ritson’s portrait of Louis Riel, entitled 100-year sleep, hangs next to Justin Kovesky’s portrait of Ron Jeremy.

Nearby, Fred Thomas shows off his dexterity with a spray can in a haunting portrait called ....

Ryan Carman, the man behind one of the newest galleries in town, Golden City, shows one of his paintings.

The true highlight of the show is a side gallery of several of the after-school groups who have interpreted what kind of heroes inspire them. In this area, colourful depictions of heroes are all over the walls; heroes who aren’t your run of the mill Batman or Spiderman.

Dr. Egg, created by one student named Dustin (age 10), is a hero who shoots eggs at kids who are hungry for breakfast.

This installation was created by the Graffiti Gallery in partnership with the Ralph Brown Community Centre, Turtle Island Neighbourhood Centre, Pritchard Park Recreation Centre and Flora House.

Legends, Heroes, Myths and Such is on display at the Graffiti Gallery (109 Higgins Ave.) until Friday, Jan. 15.

Published in Volume 64, Number 12 of The Uniter (November 19, 2009)