About Wendy Wacko
A lifetime in art. A vision rooted in the Canadian landscape.
"My practice is rooted in curiosity, resistance and care, the work exists in the tension between what is seen and what if felt , it lingers at the edge of land and feeling
where light, weather and memory dissolve into one another . "
Over the course of her career Wendy has travelled to some of the most remote places in the country to capture the extraordinary natural beauty of Canada.
Wendy Wacko is a painter, filmmaker, and gallerist whose work reflects a lifelong devotion to creativity and to the artists who define Canada’s visual identity.
"Like my creative Hero who has gone before , I want to paint all of Canada - and feel I have just scratched the surface”
Friend and Mentor Doris McCarthy was a traveling painting companion for 27 years . A generous Teacher who was always willing to share her profound knowledge of life and painting. McCarthy’s determined and ambitious approach continues to inform Wacko’s experience as an artist.
Early influences include Emily Carr, Tom Thomson, and a few of the lesser-known members of the Group of Seven, including J.E.H. MacDonald and Frederick Varley. Chagall was the artist who lit Wendy’s fire and made her believe she could fly.
In high school, Jonathan Mergler, a passionate advocate for the arts and art education, knew how to fan the flames.
Wendy spent over thirty years as the founder and director of Mountain Galleries at the Fairmont, building one of the country’s most successful collections of contemporary Canadian art. Her instinct for talent and her loyalty to artists helped launch and sustain dozens of careers.
PAINTING OF A GLACIER
Wacko has travelled by helicopter to the peaks of the Canadian Rockies to paint in the depth of winter, and says over the years she learned how to create no matter what nature threw at her.
“My goal from the very beginning was to capture the mood of the day, and I enjoyed working outside in challenging conditions.
On this particular day I added glycerin to the water so that the paint would not freeze,”.
Today, she focuses on her own studio practice and in time will be continuing to represent select artists privately.
An Art Consultant with over 40 years of experience, Wendy can help you transform your home or offices with a comfortable fresh look that will bring new life to your space.
Wendy's work is shown Madrona Gallery in Victoria, Heffel Fine Art Auction House, Mountain Galleries and Agora Gallery in Stratford Ontario .
Selected Exhibitions & Representation
March 2024 - “ Shorelines” Heffel Toronto
Early exhibitions include:
• Scott Gallery - 14 solo shows over 17 years
• Madrona Gallery - 2 solo shows in the past five years
Wendy’s work is available through:
For inquiries or representation:
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