Monday 14 November 2022

Another Prairie Icon

In light of the shocking news of the war in Ukraine, thoughts turned to the many works of Ukrainian churches Fritz created around central Saskatchewan. 

He was intrigued by how these very picturesque buildings sat so alone in the vast and often harsh prairies. This, of course, compelled him to stop and sketch, draw, and paint these landscapes.

There were two well attended exhibits titled 'Faith in the Fields' at the Ukrainian Museum on Spadina Crescent in Saskatoon and thoughts of publishing these works were never far.

It would seem an appropriate book to add to the prairie series, being more complete with these historic images of 'Faith in the Fields'. Likely not as commonly associated with the prairie landscape as the elevators and classic 'red barn' farmyards, these lonely church buildings are nonetheless very much an icon. And harbour many an immigrant story.