October 25, 2009
Peter Kolisnyk's: Ground Outline.
He developed his distinctly pure style following his training at Western Technical School. The artist was the recipient of several awards, including Ontario Arts Council and Canada Council grants. His impressive exhibition record includes exhibitions throughout North America. The Art Gallery of Ontario circulated a solo travelling show in 1980. Peter had been actively involved with Station Gallery over many decades as a generous donor, exhibiting artist and a very popular experimental painting instructor. I am reminded here of the words of his student and friend, Joan Attersley, when she referred to Peter as “a national treasure under the guise of a very modest man.” Another of his former students, Tony Romano (an internationally-known artist scheduled to present his work at the Gallery in 2010) has cited Peter as a deep influence during his formative years. He had a profound impact on many individuals through the years and will be greatly missed.
curator by day 
8 comments
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October 26, 2009 at 11:31 pm
joan attersley
I have known Peter professionally, and personally for almost 30 years….all the time he has come to the Station Gallery….and I followed him to the Haliburton campus…..to gain the most I could from this great and humble man…
Any small success I might have achieved is due soley to his teachings and encouragement…….I will miss him forever……
Joan Attersley….
October 27, 2009 at 9:08 pm
Clive
Sorry to hear of Peter’s passing. I never did know him but noticed his work over the years, including his watercolour. Did he ever do work for Kubrick on 2001? When I came to Canada as a kid it was my favourite movie, and I was at some meeting of the Willow Beach Field Naturalists or something, which I vaguely remember might have been held in Peter’s house, or in a house that had a lot of his work. Including large black monoliths. Someone told me he’d made the monolith in 2001. I was intrigued, and then forgot all about it. Googling Peter’s name I found an Italian blog post on art and film which simply compares film art to…art art, and lo and behold there are stills from the film and photos of Peter’s work. Here’s the link to the post.
http://cinemaepittura.blogspot.com/2008/06/2001-odissea-nello-spazio-2001-space.html
So, anyone know if he contributed to that classic film, either with specific designs or with inspiration, or did the inspiration for his black monoliths come from the film.
Both spectacular.
Well, we’ll all enter the stargate/monolith eventually. Go in peace, Peter.
October 28, 2009 at 1:20 pm
Donna Raetsen Kemp
I will miss the Tuesday morning banter and wonderfully mischievious twinkle in Peter’s eye. There will be a lingering emptiness — although, with a warm smile and wave of his hand, Peter would humbly dismiss this and tell us to “just get on with it”…and so we will, very fondly remembering this wonderful man and his work.
Godspeed Peter Kolisnyk.
October 28, 2009 at 2:48 pm
Janet Wilson
It was a privilege and a pleasure to have had Peter as my mentor for many years. He will be sadly missed but never forgotten.
November 9, 2009 at 4:29 pm
Jane Eccles
Peter Kolisnyk was the artist with integrity to work, a love of fellow artists and belief in the creative process. He was the authentic guy. We will remember forever his gifts to us and his friendship .
Jane Eccles
February 7, 2011 at 12:49 pm
Joel Zelikovitz
Peter was one of the most interesting art teacher/mentor I have had. His critiques either scathing or embracing were always heartfelt and appreciated. I recall a few that left their mark:
“I don’t know where you are going with that, and neither do you!”
” You may go to hell for that and I’d like to come with you.”
I will remember his creativity and his honesty.
February 11, 2011 at 7:23 pm
curator by day
Those truly are memorable quotes, Mr. Zelikovitz. Thanks for giving insight into who Peter was.
December 6, 2014 at 7:06 pm
Lynn Shwadchuck
Only many years later did I really appreciate that as a high school student in a school with no art program, I was Peter’s student for two winters of weekly adult night classes. At the time he mostly impressed me as a real live beatnick. He managed to bring us a life model in Trenton. I recall he had fun teaching me and my girlfriend, the only youngsters. We were his blank slates. I went on to OCA in 1970. I was saddened to hear he was gone.