The most interesting attraction in Winnipeg's Assiniboine Park is the Leo Mol Sculpture Garden. There are dozens of beautiful bronzes scattered through the park-like setting of its 1.2 hectare grounds.
Dr. Leo Mol is a highly regarded artist with an interesting life story. His name, when he was born in 1915, was Leonid Molodoshanin. He was born in Polonne, Ukraine and grew up in Russia. Dr. Mol studied art in Leningrad, Berlin, and at The Hague. In 1948, he moved to Canada and settled in Winnipeg, where he led a productive life creating sculptures using the "lost wax" method. He received a number of honorary degrees and was inducted into the Order of Canada. Leo died in 2009 at the age of 94.
(“Mary McGiverin”)
(“Tom Lamb”, was a pioneer bush pilot)
(Fountain in garden with Leo Mol Gallery behind it)
Dr. Mol gifted hundreds of his statues to the city of Winnipeg, a community in which he had lived for many years and gained much success. His works are scattered around the garden, admixed with benches, flowers and fountains. The garden opened in 1992 and has been expanded twice since then. It's supported by private donations.
The grounds also have the Leo Mol Gallery (where smaller figures are displayed) and his work studio (an old schoolhouse). Both of these buildings were closed for CoVid during my last visit, although I've visited the Gallery in the past and it's worth exploring.
A sampling of the Leo Mol Sculpture garden follows:
("Haydamaky", from the Monument of Taras Shevchenko in Buenos Aires)
("Surprise")
("The Blind Bandurist")
("Taras Shevchenko")
("Rusalka" -- a tribute to the Royal Winnipeg Ballet)
("White Tailed Deer")
("The Trumpeter")
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