Born in Romania, Granirer completed her studies at the Bezalel Art Academy in Jerusalem. In 1965 she came to Canada with her family and has been living in Vancouver since. As well as pursuing her art, she teaches in the continuing education department at UBC.
Granirer’s work has been exhibited around the world. In 1976 she participated in the prestigious Four Canadian Artists show in Yugoslavia. In 1980, 1987, and 1991, she spent several months in Paris, where she produced lithographs and showed in group exhibitions.
Her prize-winning limited-edition book, The Trials of Eve, was launched in Vancouver at the Women in Focus show in February 1990 and later that year in Seattle and Portland. A film based on the work premiered at Cinematheque in Vancouver and was shown on the Knowledge Network. As well, Granirer has been seen in a video production featuring the development of her work over the last twenty years, shown on four provincial educational networks.
“I have been making art for more than 40 years. During this time I tried to juggle the role of superwoman - wife, mother, community involvement - with my creative work. It has not been easy. Time and energy are limited commodities and can be stretched only up to a certain limit. There were moments of exhilaration when all these activities were well-integrated, and moments of frustration when I had to chose between my family and my work. All through these years my work has energized and sustained me, giving me the reason for being alive.
I prefer to concentrate on a certain idea, which grows and develops into a series of paintings. I find that I am able to reach greater depth exploring one direction for a time, anywhere from one to eight or ten years.
Most of my work is based on personal experience, which is then distilled and transformed through the creative process. I like to probe into the unseen, the mysterious. The past fascinates me, for it shapes the present and the future. It is important for me to achieve a balance between form and content, challenging the senses as well as the mind.”
Gabriola 39/75
Pnina Granirer
Hardground, aquatine & spit bite on copper plates
12 x 9 in.
Value: $285.00
Rental per month: $6.00
This print image is based on the extraordinary rock formations of Gabriola Island. The sculptural forms of the island’s stones has inspired a series of works by the artist called The Carved Stones Suite. This collection has toured and been shown at the Gallery of the South Okanagan in Penticton, the Gallery Rochon in Toronto and the Smash Gallery of Modern Art in Vancouver.
Granirer’s work has always reflected her personal experiences. She tends to work in a series, allowing an idea to grow and develop. Her interest lies in unifying shape with content, within the various media she works in. This is the first print made in connection with this group of works.
A small red silk leaf was collaged on each print to evoke the arrival of autumn – a rather unusual feature in a print. The seagull in the insert introduces motion and imaginary sound to the still landscape.
Three copper plates were prepared with hardground, aquatint and spit bite. The black and brown were printed first followed by a second plate for ochre and a third for blue. Image size is 12” by 9” (30cm by 23cm).