Andy Warhol once called him the “master of instant retrospectives.” Now anyone can view the artistic legacy of Karl Spreitz at a new exhibit opening at the University of Victoria on March 7. In addition to Spreitz’s prints, paintings and drawings, the new exhibition at Legacy Maltwood will showcase a selection of Spreitz’s innovative film work and photography. He was born in Austria in 1927, immigrated to Canada in 1952 and never followed a linear career trajectory. In 1959, he moved to Victoria where his distinctive filmic and photography style began to flourish.
The new UVic exhibit stems from a recent digitization project partially funded by Irving K. Barber Learning Centre at UBC. Graduate student Emerald Johnstone-Bedell, with the assistance of co-op student Naomi Shields, curated this exhibition as part of the experiential learning opportunities provided at Legacy Art Galleries under the mentorship of Director Mary Jo Hughes and Caroline Riedel, curator of collections.
“Spreitz was a pioneer and mentor in documentary and experimental filmmaking in BC as well as one of the founding members of the Limners Society,” says Riedel. “And he is an incredibly giving individual. Even now in his late 80’s, he was involved with mentoring our students to curate this exhibition.”
To see the scope of Spreitz’s film, photographic, and artistic work, visit the UVic project website.
Karl Spreitz: Self Propelled is on at Legacy Maltwood (lower level of Mearns Centre – McPherson Library), UVic March 7 to July 26. For library hours, click here.
Admission is free at UVic’s campus art gallery and everyone is welcome. Community members can contact the gallery services assistant for specific event info on this and future exhibits: please call 250-721-6562, email legacy@uvic.ca or visit legacy.uvic.ca.