Edmund Haakonson

Edmund Haakonson is a painter and sculptor who works with the human figure often modeled on examples of male nudes from classical Greece that were later reincarnated in the Renaissance. These include the work of the ancient Athenian artist Myron, and the Florentine, Michelangelo. In addition, he paints portraits and has represented the male nude in contemporary settings.

In both painting, including miniatures, and sculpture, the musculature of the male subject is a particular focus. Haakonson’s style is thus highly realistic with an emphasis on modeling, and the effect of light and shadow. Two materials he has worked with are terracotta clay and bronze. The former was employed for a series of sculptures inspired by ancient mythological figures such as the satyr and the minotaur, while the latter was used for a nude hockey player taking a slap shot. Titled Slapshotus (2010), this half-size work adopted the pose of Myron’s Discobolus (Discus Thrower) and was displayed at Pride House, Vancouver Winter Olympics (2010).

Haakonson graduated with a BFA in 1990 from University of Alberta. The artist was President of the Board of Directors of Harcourt House Artist Run Centre (Edmonton, AB) for fourteen years.