Foreword – By Ferdinand Eckhardt, Director, Winnipeg Art Gallery (September 1969)
Don Reichert, a Winnipeg artist and teacher at the School of Art, University of Manitoba, is a well-known figure in the Canadian art scene. Since his first solo show at the Winnipeg Art Gallery in 1960, Reichert has traveled extensively, spending a year in England and visiting major art centers in the United States, Spain, Italy, Holland, and England.
Like many contemporary artists, Reichert’s work does not follow a steady developmental trajectory but instead exhibits abrupt changes reflective of the rapidly evolving art world of our time. Yet, a consistent characteristic underpins his work—his sensitivity to his environment and the era in which he creates. These influences, paired with his introspective approach, reveal far-reaching roots in universal structures.
Reichert’s art is built on form, rhythm, and color, with his temperament oscillating between the sensual and intellectual. The sensual aspect adds a deeply personal touch, while the intellectual informs the structure of form and content.
This dual exhibition, hosted at the School of Art, University of Manitoba, and the Winnipeg Art Gallery, represents Reichert's recent artistic evolution. The two segments complement each other, offering a fuller understanding of his work.
The Winnipeg Art Gallery’s segment also marks the first in a series of solo exhibitions commemorating Manitoba’s Centennial in 1970.
