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Born in Welland, Ontario, January 9, 1944
EDUCATION Chicago Institute, Toronto, Ontario -2 year program, German instructors only. Mya Camert, Calgary, Alberta -1 year study of pencil drawing and Dutch watercolour. Dennis is the fourth generation of stone carvers in the Labbe family. His sons are now the fifth. His first carvings were sold in Calgary through Old Cabin Crafts, thanks to Doris Ramsey and Staff. During the sixties and seventies Dennis employed agents to sell his work in Canada and the United States. His first agent was based out of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and started Dennis with some excellent commissions including a large Native sculpture for the centennial Museum in Ottawa, two historical pieces for the University of Manitoba and many private commissions. Many of Dennis' pieces sold before they were on the shelf. In the late sixties Dennis and his father showed in New York City. At this time the local artists were boycotting the galleries. The attendance at their show was quite small however Dennis sold all his pieces and his father sold all but one. The pieces shown were mostly carvings of wildlife and daily Native customs. Dennis opened a small shop in Capreol, Ontario in the late seventies where he made contact with the International Nickel Company of Canada. For the two year period that the shop was open they purchased most of his works. After this Dennis moved back to Calgary and was represented by a number of galleries including Webster Galleries Inc. Dennis carves in a professional manner and his work is consistent in quality, design and originality, and also designs for balance, proportion and continuous rhythm. He relies on his craftsmanship for good clean cuts, anatomical knowledge and designing skills. Dennis is always willing to go one step further to please himself and his clients. |
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NEW! In the Gallery
