What do cows, running horses and Vincent Van Gogh have in common?

Sculptures by Saskatchewan artist Joe Fafard featured on new stamps

OTTAWA, Feb. 23, 2012 /CNW/ - Canada Post issued three stamps today in the ongoing Art Canada series, celebrating the work of contemporary Saskatchewan-based sculptor Joe Fafard. The stamp designs showcase the rich diversity of subject matter, approach and choice of media Mr. Fafard has explored throughout his career.

For years, the Art Canada series has showcased the best of Canadian art with a focus on two dimensional images. "Featuring work by a sculptor has added an additional challenge," says stamp designer Hélène L'Heureux. "First, to select three flagship works representative of the artist's versatility; then, to present the three works from the right angle-of-view. The camera had to capture the best angle for the formal layout and also showcase the details of each sculpture."

Throughout his career, Joe Fafard has fashioned many sculptures of animals, with an emphasis on cows and bulls. The domestic PERMANENT™ stamp features one of Mr. Fafard's popular bovine sculptures, a work cast in bronze called Smoothly She Shifted.

The U.S. stamp in this year's Art Canada issue features Dear Vincent, a painted earthenware sculpture depicting Dutch artist Vincent Van Gogh. The sculpture presents the painter, palette in one hand, lit candle in the other, painted in colours Van Gogh often used in his paintings.

The international stamp showcases a sculpture called Capillery, depicting three horses laser-cut from steel and bronze. A horse is also featured on the First Day Cover for the Art Canada Issue, this time in the form of a detailed charcoal drawing called Fancy.

These stamps are not the first time Joe Fafard has had a connection to the post. His father, Leopold Victor Fafard, was the Postmaster for the small town prairie post office of Ste. Marthe-Rocanville, Saskatchewan. As a means of honouring both Fafard and the town, Canada Post has chosen Ste. Marthe-Rocanville as the honourary cancellation site of the issue's Official First Day Cover.

PERMANENT™ stamps are available in panes of 16 stamps. U.S. and International stamps are both available in booklets of six stamps. Souvenir sheets of three stamps, uncut press sheets and gutter product are also available. Canada Post is also pleased to offer a limited edition sheet - only 1500 created - featuring four souvenir sheets with stamps in all three denominations and two PERMANENT™ domestic-rate panes - plus Fancy, a charcoal sketch finished with a unique tinted varnish treatment.

Additional information about Canadian stamps can be found in the news section of Canada Post's website, and photos of these new stamps are also available. Stamps and other products will be available at participating post offices, or can be ordered online by following the links at canadapost.ca/collecting, or by mail order from the National Philatelic Centre. From Canada and the USA, call toll-free 1-800-565-4362, and from other countries, call 902 863-6550.

Image with caption: "Fafard's popular bovine sculpture (CNW Group/Canada Post)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120223_C6743_PHOTO_EN_10354.jpg

For further information:

Media Relations
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