Paul Reimer is a Canadian-based artist based in Cranbrook, British Columbia. For the last five years, Reimer’s sculptors have been on rotation in Carbondale’s Art Around Town initiative. Earlier this month, as the conclusion of the 2023 exhibition cycle, Reimer drove down from Canada to move his larger-than-life Elk Hair Caddis Fly from Main Street in Carbondale and install the sculpture in historic downtown Basalt – it’s home through June 2024.
We had a chance to watch the crane install the work outside of Basalt Town Hall, to receive new arrivals from Reimer, and to sit with him down by the Roaring Fork to chat about his process, inspiration and the connection between him, his work and fishing. Ann Korologoos Gallery is honored to represent Reimer’s gallery work and to introduce you to the artist.
Paul Reimer began his career as an artist-blacksmith at the age of 15 when he apprenticed at the Kootenay Forge under the mentorship of John Smith. The blacksmith and iron sculptor earned an international reputation for his large, public art projects across North America, including the 30 foot long Reconciliation Sculpture, a collaboration with artist Michael Hepher to honor the Ktunaxa. Reimer appreciates the historical role of blacksmiths as “masters of utilitarian sculpture.” Today, the craft of the artist-blacksmith remains entrenched in that respected tradition: to create lasting beauty from iron. With the heat of fire, creativity flows easily from Reimer into the red-hot, malleable iron to form a limitless variety of shapes and works that facilitate a spirit of connection.
Paul Reimer, “Basalt on the Fly,” metal & copper on stone base, 6 x 13 x 11 in
