On the Seventh day he Rested

Woodgrove Bus Loop

John Charnetski developed a studio in Nanaimo for the creation of bronze and welded steel artworks while on sabbatical leave from his teaching position at Malaspina College. A series of three COR-TEN steel sculptures titled On The 7th Day He Rested, Double Cut, and Together As One were created in this space for Woodgrove Centre.

On The 7th Day He Rested is influenced by Christian writings of God's creation of the world and it uses circles to represent each day in the creation story, Double Cut is intended to be a symbol against the uncontrolled cutting of forests, and Together As One depicts the embrace of two lovers.

On The 7th Day He Rested and the other two steel sculptures were originally located at the entrance to Woodgrove Centre when it opened on September 30, 1981. When the mall was expanded, the three sculptures were moved behind the mall to their current spot by the bus loop, forming a small sculpture garden. Each weathering steel piece is set on its own pedestal on the grass.

John A. Charnetski is an art educator, sculptor, and ceramist. He now focuses on ceramics with raku techniques being one of his primary interests. Charnetski taught visual art at Malaspina College, now Vancouver Island University, from 1970-94. During his time at Malaspina, he founded the Madrona Exposition Centre on campus, which later became part of Nanaimo Art Gallery. When Malaspina College became Vancouver Island University and Nanaimo Art Gallery elected to operate out of its downtown location, the former Madrona Exposition Centre on campus became The View Gallery.


Photo by Sean Fenzl Photographer, 2020

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