Watercolour Diary Of Hurricane Juan On Display

One year ago this Wednesday, Nova Scotians were waking to the devastation that had been wreaked by Hurricane Juan. Without electricity or contact with the outside world, the stories of crushed cars, uplifted trees and unimaginable damage were being shared primarily by word of mouth.

Like many, Halifax artist Paul Hannon's curiosity led him outside, to explore the aftermath for himself. With perfect weather and entire neighbourhoods blocked from traffic, he began doing what came naturally -- capturing what he saw.

On Wednesday, Sept. 29, the first anniversary of the date that the hurricane roared ashore, a display of his visual narrative -- Hurricane Juan: A Watercolour Diary -- opens at the Museum of Natural History in Halifax.

The series of 14 ink and watercolour paintings and their preliminary drawings presents a remarkable chronology, of south-, west- and north-end Halifax neighbourhoods in the days following Juan.

"Art is the appreciation of the uniqueness of everyday life," said Mr. Hannon. "For me, the aftermath of the storm was compelling. I felt a sense of shock and groundlessness. Through my paintings I was able to make an intimate connection to my observations."

Paul Hannon is well known for oil paintings that interpret Maritime scenes and for pastoral landscapes in bold and colourful compositions. Using watercolour and pen this display reminds visitors of shared experiences and emotions caused by this disaster, and how it united residents in ways that will long be remembered.

"Hurricane Juan: A Watercolour Diary is a testament to our precarious position in the natural world," said Janet Maltby, museum manager. "The museum, and its proximity to neighbourhoods depicted in this display, is the perfect setting for this exhibit."

The exhibit will remain on display at the museum, on Summer Street in Halifax, until Nov. 28.