Willie O’Ree portrait unveiled for permanent display in New Brunswick hometown | 24CA News
In Fredericton, there are few names extra iconic than Willie O’Ree.
He was the primary Black hockey participant to be drafted into the National Hockey League and now a life-size portrait of him hangs completely within the Beaverbrook Art Gallery.
Tim Okamura was the artist commissioned to do the portrait.
The artist
“Throughout this city, you can see the love for Willie, and … I’m just so blessed to be, you know, a small part of that,” he stated at an unveiling Wednesday evening.
Okamura is a recent Canadian painter who investigates identification, city atmosphere, metaphor and cultural iconography. He is understood for his depiction of BIPOC topics in city settings, and his mixture of graffiti and realism.
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His curiosity in hockey began at a younger age, after discovering his father’s hockey gear at their residence in Edmonton.
Tim Okamura is the Canadian artist commissioned to do the life-size portrait of NHL legend Willie O’Ree.
Nathalie Sturgeon / Global News
During his speech, Okamura spoke about how he would hear from individuals concerning the lack of Black illustration in hockey, particularly.
“Often the following sentence was, ‘there is no Black players in hockey,” he said. “As a hockey aficionado, I would always be trying to educate people and say in fact there have been and there currently are and will continue to be as an important part of the sport.”
He said after explaining ‘too many times’ that there are gamers who’re individuals of color within the NHL, he had an epiphany.
“OK, here is your work, your concern with representation and here is your passion for hockey,” Okamura stated. “I’ve got an idea.”
O’Ree was inducted within the Hockey Hall of Fame after the numerous efforts of many supporters in Fredericton. His HOF ring is included within the portrait.
Nathalie Sturgeon / Global News
He would go on to color portraits of hockey legends like P.Ok. Subban, Joel Ward, Devante Smith-Pelly, Wayne Simmonds and Darnell Nurse.
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Okamura began compiling legends and O’Ree match naturally on that listing. Through circumstance, connection and dialog, Okamura received time with O’Ree in Philadelphia.
“He was ready to go for the portrait, full suit, hat, everything laid out … and this jersey you see, he brought a stick, and fortunately due to the timing he was sporting the Hall of Fame ring,” he stated.
Bringing the portrait residence
O’Ree, who lives in California and couldn’t be in attendance for the disclosing, is woven into the material of the City of Fredericton. A significant enviornment bears his title, there are native shows at his former highschool and a sales space named after him in an iconic restaurant named The Cabin.
Because of that, John Leroux, supervisor of collections and exhibitions on the Beaverbrook Art Gallery, stated it made good sense for it to be completely displayed in his hometown.
The portrait will likely be on everlasting show on the Beaverbrook Art Gallery.
Nathalie Sturgeon / Global News
“Having the portrait here is a fantastic privilege,” he stated. “It captures the soul of the character, the dignity and the strength of Willie.”
Leroux believes not solely can this be appreciated by artwork lovers, but additionally by sports activities followers who would possibly discover kinship within the artwork.
“It’s just great to share with the world,” he stated.
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