AN EXHIBITION OF SELECTED WORKS OF REIMER REINKE 1928 -2001
This Exhibition does not encompass all the works of Reimer Reinke. It is a look at the last period of his painting. He leaves a huge patrimony of realistic art that captures both nature and wildlife of Ontario. The realistic detail of his work can be appreciated in the prints, framed and not, available in gallery. His artwork is in great part in private collections but a smaller collection, from which this superb watercolour washes were chosen, still hang on the walls of his home. The remaining works, paintings and prints, will be curated and catalogued by Daniel Nicastro in collaboration with the Reinke Family and will be available at Luc Sculpture in the near future. In the meantime enjoy the work of this exceptional artist and appreciate a masters use of watercolour… The work exhibited is properly framed and mounted in acid free stock and we hope some of it will find a place you in your collection.
BIOGRAPHY REIMER REINKE (1928 – 2001)
Born in Germany in 1928 Reimer Reinke discovered art and his own affinity for painting at the early age of fourteen. Drawn to local painters in his hometown, he spent his free time nurturing his emerging talent under their practiced tutelage. Later he would reflect on their skills as his flourished and through continuous exploration in multi media his talent matured through his own drive.
In 1961 Reimer Reinke and his wife Christa immigrated to Toronto Canada. Reimer Reinke was inspired by the natural splendor of the landscapes. Over time he amassed a collection of hundreds of works in oil, water colour, india ink and acrylic. His versatility in multi media, particularly watercolour on rice paper attracted media attention from the CBC, CFTO-TV, Toronto Today, World Beat News, Toronto Star, The Mirror Guardian, Toronto Sun, London Free Press and his native cultural newspaper the German Press.
By the late seventies and throughout the eighties Reimer Reinke gained national and international recognition from a series of twenty one man shows including the Saul Babbin Galleries in Toronto, in Bremen Germany opened by the Canadian Consulate General Mr Ottfried von Finckestein, a patron exhibition in Switzerland and at the opening of the Scarborough Civic Centre.
For three consecutive years Reimer Renke was invited to exhibit his work at the McMichael Galleries Annual Fundraiser in Kleinburg founded to support the works of the Group Seven and that today promotes Canadian Artists from around the country. Throughout Canada Reimer Reinke’s work has been exhibited as part of the rich cultural heritage of the country. Reinke’s work is in private collections at home, Europe, Japan, Turkey, Australia and the United States.
Recognized by the Honourable Alvin Curling as a great contributor to the cultural fabric of the country Reinke was nominated to the Order of Ontario. Reinke received the Civic Award of Merit from the former city of Scarborough in 1986 and later in 1996 the Bicentennial Award for his contributions to his community past and present. His works hang in provincial and federal Government offices, in the personal collection of Prime Minister Chretien, as well as such corporate collections as Clarkson Gordon, Permanent Trust and Bruce Black investments.
During the eighties Reimer Reinke became an art instructor at Cedar Ridge Creative Centre and Agincourt Collegiate. For nine years he encouraged, stimulated and motivated his students to experiment, and explore while sharing his self taught techniques.
Reimer Reinke was a prolific artist, a husband and the father of three children. Over a period of thirty years he evolved as an artist who enjoyed national and international acclaim. On August 11, 2001 Reinke passed away peacefully after a long illness. Throughout his life his health was a persistent challenge and his art was the liberation from pain that only creativity could provide. He sketched until the last days. Fittingly a tree was planted at the Scarborough Bluffs in his memory.
Reimer Reinke was included in notable losses of 2001 in the Toronto Star among other gifted personalities like Producer Stan Margulies (Thorn Birds), Jazz musician Moe Koffman, Animator Willian Hanna, Musician John Phillips, Al Waxman and Mordecai Richeler..
While Christa Reinke continues to actively participate in the exhibition of Reinke’s work, and significant collection can be seen at her home by appointment please enjoy here this selection and when need be we will arrange with the family viewing of other works as a catalogue of his work gets prepared.