George Holancin’s professional career is in the agriculture industry. He is currently responsible for marketing and business development of a family-owned packaging company. Early in his career, because of the seasonal nature of the business, George had the time to look to other areas to expand his interests. An opportunity presented itself to work in a television commercial and, what was to be a part-time work assignment, resulted in a five-year experience living in New York City as a fashion model during the sixties. It was during this time that he also developed a strong interest in photography which he still nurtures as one of his hobbies. His antique camera collection is very impressive. Music, especially jazz, also plays an important role in George’s life.
George’s life experiences – working with the land, living in one of the world’s greatest cities, and being on both sides of a camera lens – all contributed to his creative expression. Now a successful businessman in the food industry, George discovered his creative talent inadvertently in the early 1990’s. When dealing with the environmental issues associated with discarded tools and farm implements, he began to look upon these objects in a different light and realized the potential for recycling and utilizing the interesting shapes – the curve of a plow and the slender harrows for baling hay, for example. And thus the inspiration for his sculptures emerged.
A skilled welder, he began to transform the pieces of rusted metal into his interpretation of the images he visualized. Influenced by nature, his creations range from the elegant Blue Heron and Canada Goose to whimsical garden creatures such as Lady Bugs and frogs. His groupings of jazz musicians, of course, are a reflection of George’s love of music. All his sculptures express originality of vision and form and in many instances a romantic sense of humor.
George and his wife, Lydia, live in the countryside approximately one hour’s drive north of Toronto. His studio is adjacent to their home.
Gallery representation (past and present)
Kouskey Gallery – Naples, Florida and Charlevoix, Michigan Studio 737 – Kawartha Region, Ontario Arts on King – Toronto, Ontario Blue Mountain Foundation of the Arts – Collingwood, Ontario Skelton Galleries – Collingwood, Ontario Sandy’s Garden Art – On-line gallery
Commissions, projects and installations
19th Century Millstone and Canada Geese and Fountain with Flying Heron – Two installations for the West Gwillimbury Downtown Revitalization Committee
Commissions for corporate events
2005 Caledon East Studio Tour Private collections in Canada, the United States and Europe Numerous donations in support of various charities (cancer research, Easter Seals)