Biography

Richard Palanuk is a visual artist living and working in Winnipeg (Manitoba) Canada. The images that Richard creates are derived from his photo-based work. His initiation into photography began at the age of eight when he received his first camera. When he was ten, Richard and a group of friends constructed a cardboard fort which quite unexpectedly turned into a giant pinhole camera: "spending time inside a camera that summer definitely had an influence on my visual perception".

Music was Richard's main interest during his teenage years and it wasn't until the age of 21 that his love for photography was rekindled: "I taught first aid in First Nation Communities in Northern Manitoba and I took a camera with me. The images I experienced and recorded stirred something deep within me - I was hooked".

Richard attended the University of Winnipeg, studying Art History, English and Eastern Religions. It was the study of Eastern Religions that started Richard on a spiritual journey which would later have an influence on his work. After university, he worked for CBC Radio, CP Rail and the Province of Manitoba, where he was employed as a media technician. Although Richard's main duty as a technician concerned sound recording, he was given the opportunity to work as a photographer and darkroom technician. During the next three years Richard immersed himself in photography and attended Red River College to further hone his skills. He captured a variety of images for the Province of Manitoba and became skilled in the darkroom, printing black and white photographs for both the Hudson Bay and the Provincial Archives.

Richard went on to pursue a career as a freelance photographer, working with writers, editors, graphic designers and art directors. His particular interest in gardening images led him to assignments with Canadian Gardening magazine and related publications. During this time, Richard was offered a contract position with a museum. This allowed him the opportunity to concentrate more on his artwork and he began to show his work in exhibitions.

Richard now works full-time as a visual artist. His artwork has evolved from traditional photography to printmaking based on his photographic images. His experimental and playful approach to photography has taken this medium to a new level.

Richard's work is available through The Winnipeg Art Gallery, the Art Gallery of Hamilton and Martha Street Studio in Winnipeg. His images can be found in private collections worldwide and in corporate collections acquired by: Canadian Heritage, the Government of Canada, the Manitoba Liquor Commission, the Business Development Bank of Canada and the World Wildlife Fund.

Artist Statement 

“I see my work as fiction based on fact and it all begins with my camera. I record images that somehow find me. Once I start playing with these visual impressions, they begin to take on a life of their own. It can be quite exhilarating to experience this transformation as the images become visual metaphors for inner thoughts and emotions”.

Richard Palanuk

Information about the artwork

These original fine-art prints are produced using pigmented inks on rag paper and, in some instances, on canvas. Each edition is titled, numbered and signed by the artist. Up to 3 artist proofs are also produced and may be sold or donated at the artist's discretion. The framed artwork and prints that are available at The Winnipeg Art Gallery, the Art Gallery of Hamilton and Martha Street Studio, are indicated under the individual titled images in the Gallery section. Although these galleries do not carry all of Richard's work, any piece exhibited on this website can be ordered by contacting  the following locations: Art Rental & Sales at The Winnipeg Art Gallery at (204) 789-0513 or e-mail artrental@wag.mb.ca; Art Rental & Sales at the Art Gallery of Hamilton at (905) 527-6610 ext. 224 or e-mail shop@artgalleryofhamilton.com and Martha Street Studio at (204) 779-6253 or e-mail printmakers@mts.net. For further information, please contact Richard at rpalanuk@mts.net.