A remarkable connection between rural roots, reclaimed materials and artistic ambition comes into clear focus with Winnipeg-based metal sculptor Pierrette Sherwood. With a deep-seated nostalgia for farm life and a finely-honed vision for up-cycled artistry, Sherwood has pivoted from a corporate career into creating bold, textured works that resonate with prairie heritage and contemporary aesthetic.
Rural inspiration and reclaimed metals
Sherwood says she draws most of her material from old agricultural metal because she grew up on a dairy farm and the work “brings me back to my roots.” She explains that she feels an ongoing relationship with patina—rust, weather-worn textures and layered tones—and she especially enjoys the reaction of farmers who recognise old implement parts coming alive through her art.
She notes that she tends to gravitate toward rural settings for her exhibitions. “I certainly do have lots of people from urban centres who are attracted to my art, but I do have a soft spot for agricultural communities.” That is one of the reasons she selected the town of Portage la Prairie for her current show: “the folks here certainly know what that’s all about, so I’m happy to be here.”
Evolving work and layered technique
Sherwood says she has more than thirty pieces prepared for her show, including a feature wall she calls a “forest scene” crafted from old hand-saws. “I have a forest scene that I kind of am reproducing on one feature wall … above that, some larger kind of birds of prey … all made of up-cycled, recycled old saws.” She explains that those pieces are “very accessible in terms of price point” and they will appeal to buyers heading into the Christmas season.
She adds that in addition to those smaller works she is exploring larger scale sculpture: “I’ve gone really big on some of them … because I just find that that has a stronger visual impact … I’m exploring colours more … by that I mean rustic colours for the most part … I’ve taken apart old car hoods with a nice rustic patina … integrated some colours into some kind of landscape scenes … there are various layers … highlighting the rust … as my focal points mostly, but with some nice colour back-drops.”
A career transformation rooted in metal
Sherwood explains she has been working in metal since 2007. “I took my welding course back in 2007 at Red River College with the very specific intent to do a large dimensional sculpture made of up-cycled old wheels from the farm.” But her artistic interests go back further: she says she discovered her love for pencil, ink, line work and contrast when she was 11 years old, with a Christmas art kit full of how-to shadowing exercises.
She notes that prior to fully launching her metal-work career she worked in tourism and the public service in Ottawa and Montreal. After federal government cut-backs in 2012 she took what she describes as an opportune moment to pivot. “I had already taken my welding course … I thought, oh, you know, why not? This is the time. So I ventured out … for three years I had a little shop, a little boutique in St. Anne, and I did art in vintage, my own art and other people’s art too … and that still kind of helps to sustain my work today.”
She adds that she remains grateful for her early supporters: “I still have people who follow me and support me, even from those days, from the very beginning … I feel pretty privileged … It’s been a long time coming. I’ve put a lot of work into it too … it doesn’t happen by itself, but it’s really a joy for me to do what I love.”
Related stories:
Sherwood continues that she is determined to keep pushing her artistic boundaries by stepping out of her comfort zone. “I think if you’re starting to get too comfortable as an artist, then maybe you’re not pushing yourself enough.” She says she has more projects and plans than she will likely have time for, and adds that it is “good to be here and nice to be able to share this with the public … it’s always exciting to have a new show.”
With roots in rural Manitoba, a foundation in welding and a growing reputation in recycled-metal sculpture, Pierrette Sherwood is building a distinctive bridge between the farm past and the art future.