IRENE KLAR

Irene Klar was born in Montreal in 1950. After completing degrees in Physical Therapy and Science at McGill University in Montreal, she moved to Edmonton in 1973 where she completed her Bachelor of Fine Art degree from the University of Alberta. Irene subsequently taught Art History at Grand McEwan Community College and in the University of Alberta Faculty of Extension from 1978-1987. She currently resides in Alberta.

People, their textiles, pattern decoration and colours serve as inspiration for her art. Her interest in universal design elements has taken her on far-reaching travels from Australia to Guatemala, Morocco, Canada’s Northwest Coast and USA’s Southwest, Japan, and most recently India. Her travels in North and South America brought her in contact with the beautiful garments of the native peoples. She has been inspired by the button blankets of the Northwest Coast and the intricate blanket designs of the Navajo and Hopi. During her visit to Japan, she developed an interest in fabrics and became intrigued by the beautiful silk kimonos worn by the Japanese women.

Irene’s paintings have been exhibited in Stratford, Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, Palm Springs, Scottsdale, Santa Fe, Dallas, Memphis, Auckland (New Zealand) and Sydney (Australia). In 1993 Irene was commissioned to do the paintings for the Amnesty International Canada calendar and the Amnesty USA pocket calendar. In 2005 her works were exhibited with Ksan Northwest Coast carvers in the Ksan Historical Indian Village, Hazleton B.C.

Irene Klar is represented in prestigious corporate collections:

Air Canada Esso Resources, Calgary AB
Alberta Art Foundations Esso Petroleum, Edmonton AB
Alcan Government of Alberta
Athabasca University Husky Oil Corp.
Bank of Montreal Marriott Hotels
Bell Enterprises MacKenzie Financial
Cantel Royal Bank of Canada
Canada Council Art Bank University of Alberta
Edmonton Art Gallery

Gallery Indigena is pleased to represent Irene Klar.