Ann Alexandra Harbuz facts for kids

Ann Harbuz (born Ann Napastiuk) (July 25, 1908 – April 29, 1989) was a talented Canadian artist. She taught herself how to paint. Ann Harbuz is famous for her unique folk art paintings. These paintings show what life was like for Ukrainian Canadians on the prairies in the 1900s.

Ann found ideas for her art in her rural life and Ukrainian background in Western Canada. Her paintings show her own special view of her community's social life. This view was a mix of her memories, dreams, and real-life experiences. Even though she started painting later in life, she created over 1,000 paintings and decorated objects.

Ann Harbuz was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She grew up near Whitkow, Saskatchewan. Her parents had moved to Canada from Ukraine. Ann spent most of her adult life in Saskatchewan towns like Richard and North Battleford, and also in Ponoka, Alberta. She passed away in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, when she was 80 years old.

Ann Harbuz's Artistic Journey

Ann Harbuz began painting in the late 1960s. She was inspired after seeing the artworks of her neighbor in North Battleford, Mike Peryewizniak. When she started painting, she was still very busy with her home and community. She often had to fit her art into her daily chores.

Her art style blends different types of art, like 'folk art' and 'fine art'. She didn't focus much on strict art rules or techniques. Instead, she focused on the story and message in her paintings.

Major Art Projects and Collections

Ann Harbuz was asked to create a painting for the 1976 Montreal Olympics. This painting was given to Thomas Douglas, a famous Canadian politician. Her artwork has been shown all across Canada. Many important art collections own her pieces. These include the Mendel Art Gallery in Saskatoon, The Saskatchewan Arts Board, and The Mackenzie Gallery in Regina.

Some of her paintings have been sold at auctions. For example, her painting NIKOA KOWALSKI'S FARM was sold at Hodgins Art Auctions in 2006.

Exhibitions of Ann Harbuz's Art

Ann Harbuz's work has been featured in many art shows.

Solo Exhibitions

These were shows where only her art was displayed:

• 1983 - Art Centre, North Battleford
• 1982 - Art Placement, Saskatoon
• 1981 - Ukrainian Museum of Canada, Saskatoon
• 1978 - Art Centre, North Battleford
• 1975 - Art Centre, North Battleford

Group Exhibitions

These were shows where her art was displayed alongside other artists:

• 1991 - Work, Weather and the Grid: Agriculture in Saskatchewan, Dunlop Art Gallery, Regina
• 1988 - Prairie Folk Artists, Dunlop Art Gallery, Regina
• 1983 - Saskatchewan Naive/Folk Artists, Le Marchand Gallery, Edmonton
• 1983 - Seven Saskatchewan Folk Artists, Mendel Art Gallery (this show traveled around the province)
• 1983 - From the Heart: Folk Art in Canada, National Museum of Man, Ottawa (this show traveled across Canada)
• 1982 - Prairie Folk Art, University of Saskatchewan Library, Saskatoon
• 1981 - Saskatchewan Images and Objects by Ann and Mike Harbuz, Ukrainian Museum of Canada, Saskatoon
• 1980 - Canadian Folk Artists, Thomas Gallery, Winnipeg
• 1980 - Rosemont Art Gallery, Regina & Susan Whitney Art Gallery, Regina
• 1979 - Ann Harbuz and Fred Moulding, Kesik Gallery, Regina
• 1979 - Ukrainian Themes: Four Folk Artists, Shoestring Gallery, Saskatoon (this show traveled around the province)
• 1978 - Three Primitive Painters, Gallery One, Saskatoon & Don Callandar Gallery, Winnipeg
• 1978 - The Saskatchewan Arts Board Collections, Norman MacKenzie Art Gallery, Regina
• 1976 - Grassroots Saskatchewan, Norman MacKenzie Art Gallery, Regina (this show traveled around the province)
• 1976 - The Grain Bin, Saskatchewan Art at the Olympics, Montreal (this show traveled around the province)
• 1975 - Saskatchewan Primitives, Mendel Art Gallery, Saskatoon
• 1972 - Art Centre, North Battleford

More Information

• "Ann Harbuz ". Art Sask. Retrieved 2016-02-27.
• "Ann Harbuz." Saskatchewn NAC Artists. Retrieved 2016-03-18.
• Borsa, Joan. (2004). "Revisiting Ann Harbuz: Inside Community, Outside Convention." In Unframed: Practices and Politics of Women's Contemporary Painting.