North Okanagan gallery mounts extensive show from ManWoman, B.C.'s controversial pop artist

Appearances can deceive, and the late B.C. pop artistManWomanmade a side career out of shocking the public with his attempts to rehabilitate the swastikato its ancient religiousroots.

ManWoman, who died in2012 at 74, had more than 200 swastika tattoos all over his body in addition to a third eye on his forehead. He sought to reclaim the auspicious symbol important to Hindus and Buddhists and rid it of its horrifying Nazi connection.

Now Headbones Gallery in Vernon, B.C., isshowcasing 66 of his silk screen prints and threepaintings inthe exhibitHoly Screen Timewhich features Smiley Swastika, among other works.

Born Patrick Charles Kemball in Cranbrook, B.C., ManWomanwasknown for dressing in head-to-toe yellow and driving a yellow van.

Many of hisprints depictadorable figures in vivid colours including cheerful nuns riding intrucks andan angelic dog.

Four of theprints featureswastikas, one filled withdoves and anotherthe focus of a group of bunnies.

"His dreams led him to believe that it was a sacred sign," said ManWoman's widow Astarte Sellers about his unique vision. "He felt that the sacred sign was misused and he wanted to restore it to its former benevolent power."

It proved to be an uphill battle to reclaim the swastika. Because of his appearance, ManWoman was mistaken by many people in his community as a former prisoner with an unbalanced mind. He upset his friends and acquaintances of Jewish descent.

"But whenever you look at any of his artworks that have swastikas in them, there's no way that you could look at them with any kind of a feeling of negativity," Headbones Gallery curator Julie Oakes told CBC reporter Chris Walker.

Sellers says ManWoman's courage to follow his own inner calling has been a big inspiration for many young artists.

"It gave them license to follow their own path and have more confidence in the kinds of guidance that they get from inside their own self, not looking outside themselves," she said.

The Holy Screen Time exhibitruns until Nov. 28. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, visitors need to book an appointment for accessing the gallery.

Tap the link below to listen to Chris Walker's conversation with Headbones Gallery's curators: