It’s not often that a book is published about your junior high art school teacher, is it?  Don Proch was no ordinary middle school teacher. He taught me how to draw perspective, which is no small feat in a classroom of enthusiastic 13 year olds.  His teaching career was short-lived; he’s been creating art full time for most of his life. His artworks are found in public and corporate collections from Vancouver, Canada to New York, U.S.A.

Don Proch- Masking and Mapping by Patiricia Bovey, University of Manitoba Press, 2019

Night Landing Mask, Don Proch, 1982, Collection of the Winnipeg Art Gallery, galleries west.ca image

Take a look at this short video produced by Mayberry Fine Art. Mr. Proch (how could I call him Don?!) talks about his process, and his influences.  He describes his objects as three dimensional drawing and says making these things is the most fun I can have.

Chicken Bone Mask, Don Proch, 1978

Isn’t the work intriguing?  Unique?  He has a singular voice that remains contemporary in its exploration of humans interacting with the land.  And what could be more à propos than masks?  If you want to learn a bit more, here’s an interesting interview  by Robert Enright from Border Crossings.

And, really, you want to see the images in the book, Don Proch –  Masking and Mapping.  It’s easily ordered from the University of Manitoba Press, or your local independent bookstore.  Ask your public library to acquire a copy. Patricia Bovey has done a remarkable job compiling all the images, details, and dates of Don Proch’s extraordinary life and art into an accessible and enjoyable format.  It’s a gorgeous book, and an incredible resource.

Thanks to Ms Bovey for this book.  Thanks to Mr. Proch for teaching me drawing fundamentals.  Thank you, Don Proch, for your art.