Porsche Travel Experience Newfoundland begins in the charming port city of St. John’s, capital of the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. It is one of the oldest settlements in North America. Jonathan S. Green, an emerging Newfoundland artist, grew up not far from here in a small fishing village on the east coast. “The people here are the friendliest in all of Canada,” he says with confidence. We experienced this firsthand – hospitality and a willingness to help is second nature to them. In St. John’s, participants in the Porsche Travel Experience immerse themselves in the city’s relaxed atmosphere. Of course, this also includes a hearty portion of local specialties such as fresh seafood and “Newfie Fries” — a local version of Quebec’s national dish, poutine. To put it very, very simply, it is a serving of fries combined with cheese curds and gravy.
Adventure is calling
But then Newfoundland’s lonely roads — and our 911 Targa 4S — call. We leave the city, heading towards the road along the north coast. Overlooked by majestic mountains, the waves roar and the sea is rough — the perfect inspiration for Jonathan S. Green, who regularly finds subjects for his art in the beauty of his homeland. He discovered his passion for art early on, at the age of five or six. “Unfortunately, there were no art schools or anything like that in my town, but we had a local barber who was a hobby artist and offered lessons. That’s why my first art lessons were in a barber shop while the shavers hummed in the background.”
Over time, he has grown as an artist, and the art scene in Newfoundland has also evolved over the years. “The Bonavista Biennale”, an innovative, locally influenced art event on the Bonavista Peninsula, has been taking place here since 2017. Every two years, a melting pot of emerging and established artists from Newfoundland and Labrador working with all types of media come together. “Installations and events take place in unconventional locations across the peninsula, embedding contemporary art into the historic spaces and everyday places of rural communities,” explains Green, who himself exhibited at the Biennale in 2021.
A land of extremes
Newfoundland is a wild dreamland for adventurers. The coastal areas are rough, barren and beautiful. The inland is filled with dense forests and deep lakes. The spectacular Gros Morne National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers some of the most dramatic landscapes in North America. From Table Mountain, you can enjoy the view of Ten Mile Pond, a 4.4-kilometer-long lake nestled in the mountainous landscape. “I love hiking in Gros Morne National Park with my wife. I can take in all the inspiration. A whole series of my works are inspired by this national park,” says Green.
Green graduated from the University of Alberta with a Master of Fine Arts in printmaking and has displayed his art in galleries and various exhibitions. The main subject of his works examines humanity’s interaction with the landscape. Without pointing fingers, his art stimulates thought. Why does a boulder need to be supported by wooden poles? What is a mountain doing in a small wooden house? Is nature protected if you build a fence around it?
Whale watching and puffin paradise
Our journey continues through remote coastal regions — paradise for whales, including humpbacks and fin whales. Boat tours offer a unique opportunity to see these giants of the sea in the wild from an appropriate distance. And bird watchers can see colorful puffins in their natural habitats at the Elliston Puffin Site – an experience that delights both nature and bird lovers and is one of the highlights of the Porsche Travel Experience Newfoundland.
With its rugged diversity, rich culture and warm people, Newfoundland is one of Canada’s hidden gems. You can experience the different facets of the island on over 1,100 kilometers of road during this Porsche Travel Experience. Adventurous flair included, and that’s a promise. And at one point or another, you might see imagery that reminds you of the art of Jonathan S. Green, who captures the uniqueness of his homeland in his art and shares it with the world.
Jonathan S. Green
Jonathan S. Green is of Mi’kmaq, Inuit, British and Scottish descent and was born in Labrador City. Growing up in Newfoundland, Green graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Art from the Memorial University of Newfoundland and received a Master of Fine Arts in Printmaking from the University of Alberta in 2016. From 2017-2019, Green was Artist in Residence at the University of Alaska Anchorage, USA. He currently lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada at his studio, Campsite Press.
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Text first published in the Porsche magazine STORIES.
Author: Elisa Weber
Photos: GettyImages / Michael Hanson, Alan Majchrowicz, Matthew Clemente, Photography by Deb Snelson, iStock / Liz Leyden, C. Young, Porsche AG Archive Kunst: Jonathan S. Green
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