Retrospective

Peter Ferguson

May 2005

Architecture, the mother of all arts, is about to occupy the main hall at the Durham Art Gallery this spring. Kimberley architect Peter Ferguson will be holding a retrospective of 21 years of work in a variety of design fields.

This is the Gallery’s first presentation of architecture and curator Tony Massett is especially excited to have Ferguson’s show as the kick-off.

“There are many great contemporary buildings in this region, of which too few people are aware, and we are glad we can start with Peter’s show,” he says. “This is intended as the first of a continuing series on architecture and design as the Gallery continues to widen its mandate.”

Ferguson is principal of Ferguson Ferguson Architect North, based at Kimberley’s former extension school (K - Gr 10) in the Beaver Valley. He and his brother John founded Ferguson Ferguson in 1984; the southern studio presently operates in Dundas, Ontario. The partnership’s life has had two phases – City and Country. The first decade was spent on Toronto’s Queen St W, producing primarily downtown urban projects; since ’94 Ferguson has pursued projects throughout the Georgian Triangle district.

“Prepping for this show is really fascinating,” he reports. “It’s great to stand back and assess the oeuvre as a whole, what with the business side always keeping us so immersed in the present and future. I’m surprised at how strong the earlier work really was.”

In addition to architecture, the show will focus on sculpture, graphic design and product manufacture. Special to this show, as well, will be the installation of a building in the Gallery and a performance piece at the opening.