Exhibition ProPosal

Canada on Canvas

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Exhibition DescriptionCanada is an evolving entity. It is a northern nation shaped from a patchwork of former colonies and territories, and by the confluence of its peoples’ diverse histories and experiences. At every step Canada’s painting tradition has played an integral role helping to both document and inform the country’s history, course, and development. From shared and disparate vantage points, painters have contributed to the emergent country by illuminating it, depicting on canvas a land of awesome physical diversity, inhabited by peoples of ranging beliefs, outlooks, and ways of life. Each of the forty works in Canada on Canvas falls under one or more of three thematic areas: people, place, and paint. These themes structure the exhibition, allowing for a concise yet powerful look at Canadian painting between the 1840s and 1970s.

PeopleMany of the earliest paintings in Canada portrayed human figures. The generalized depictions of 19th century genre and ethnographic painters like Cornelius Krieghoff and Frederick Verner often subsumed the subjects’ individual identities. This tradition continued through the 20th century with artists such as Philip Surrey, Jean Paul Lemieux, and William Kurelek, who elevated anecdotal detail capturing the quotidian mood and pace of the modern age in both rural and urban Canada. This exhibition also includes a selection of portraits. An early example of an anonymous woman by an unknown portraitist from Canada East (pre-Confederation Quebec) functions to confirm the sitter’s elevated social status, while those by later artists like Prudence Heward depict broader segments of Canadian society with sensitivity and concern. Still others, like Frederick Varley, used portraiture as a vehicle for modern painterly expression.

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Jean Paul Lemieux. La Conversation, 1968. Oil on canvas. Framed 104.14 x 170.18 cm. On loan to the Winnipeg Art Gallery from a private collection, 1536.024

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PlaceA painting’s sense of place, its projection of a certain mood or emotion, can influence how we understand and even inhabit the region that it depicts. In the late-19th and early-20th century, artists like John Hammond, Marc-Aurèle de Foy Suzor-Côté, and J.E.H. MacDonald suited the Canadian scene to various established European aesthetic templates. Canadian landscape painting increasingly showed highly decorative worlds constructed through simplified relationships of form and colour. In the 1920s and 1930s, the Group of Seven and their followers celebrated a Canadian terrain that was harsh, sparsely populated, and unindustrialized, while others such as Kathleen Morris and Nora Collyer turned their view toward bustling cities and hardscrabble agrarian landscapes. Finally, influenced by mystical world views, the canvases of Emily Carr and Jock Macdonald reconfigured the physical environment into a node of spiritual significance.

PaintBetween the 1940s and 1970s, the act and materials of painting itself became discernable subjects for many Canadian artists. Jean Paul Riopelle and the Automatists, their canvases infused with psycho-revolutionary significance, transformed Montreal into an international hub of modern abstract painting. An ensuing generation of Quebec artists turned to paint as a means of exploring sensory perception. In Toronto, painters like William Ronald began experimenting with an eclectic array of approaches drawn from British and American precedents. Beyond central Canada, artists like Kenneth Lochhead produced grand canvases that revelled in their own material and two-dimensional limits. Tony Tascona combined gestural mark-making with an industrial aesthetic, while Don Jarvis used painterly abstract forms to suggest a primordial and deep-seated natural structure. Finally, in eastern Canada, under the influence of conceptual art, painters like Tim Zuck engaged in an irreverent and humorous dialogue with the abstract painting tradition and, in so doing, extended that very tradition.

By framing the work of this exhibition within three broad thematic placeholders—people, place, and paint—Canada on Canvas promotes the opportunity for viewers to consider the way in which painting in this country emerged, shifted, and developed. At the same time, it affords the chance to discern key moments of overlap, whereby works relate to one another across different regions and times, and are drawn together into a painting tradition.

Tom Thomson. Winter Algonquin Park, 1916. Oil on panel. Framed 21.59 x 26.67 cm. On loan to the Winnipeg Art Gallery from a private collection, 1536.039

Jean-Paul Riopelle. Forêt (detail), 1954. Oil on canvas. Framed 96.52 x 145.42 cm. On loan to the Winnipeg Art Gallery from a private collection, 1535.015

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Exhibition DetailsArtists: Marcel Barbeau, Franklin Carmichael, Emily Carr, Alfred Joseph Casson, Nora Frances Elizabeth Collyer, Emily Coonan, Maurice Galbraith Cullen, Marc-Aurèle Fortin, Richard Gorman, John Hammond, Lawren S. Harris, E. Prudence Heward, Jack Weldon Humphrey, A.Y. Jackson, Don Jarvis, Frank H. Johnston, Cornelius David Krieghoff, William Kurelek, Ozias Leduc, Jean Paul Lemieux, Rita Letendre, Arthur Lismer, Kenneth Campbell Lochhead, J.E.H. MacDonald, J.W.G. (Jock) Macdonald, Doris McCarthy, Guido Molinari, James Wilson Morrice, Kathleen Moir Morris, Jean-Paul Riopelle, William Ronald, Anne Savage, Philip Surrey, Marc-Aurèle de Foy Suzor-Côté, Tony Tascona, Tom Thomson, Frederick Horsman Varley, Frederick A. Verner, Tim Zuck, Unidentified Quebec artist (after Antoine Plamondon)

Curator: Andrew Kear, Associate Curator, Historical Canadian Art, Winnipeg Art Gallery

Exhibition Includes:

• 40 framed paintings (People: 11 paintings, Place: 19 paintings, Paint: 10 paintings)

• Supporting materials: bilingual (English and French) introductory panel; 3 thematic panels corresponding to the themes of People, Place and Paint; 40 labels with expanded text for select works. All provided on CD

• Pamphlets are available

• Packing and crating

Requirements of Host Institution:

• Minimum 375 running feet

• Environment and security requirements:

• Relative humidity: 50% fluctuations less than ± 5% RH in 24 hours

• Temperature: 20°C with fluctuations not to exceed ± 2°C in 24 hours

• Lighting: UV not to exceed 75 microwatts per lumen; maximum 150 lux

• Security: Constant surveillance when open to the public; security alarm system in use when closed to the public

• Pro-rated shipping costs

Host venue length: 12 weeks

Tour Schedule: Fall 2010 to Fall 2013

Exhibition Fee: $20,000 CDN

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ContactTo book Canada on Canvas contact:

Jasmina JovanovicHead, Museum Services Winnipeg Art Gallery 204.786.6641 ext. 223 museumservices@wag.ca

For more information on the content of Canada on Canvas contact:

Andrew KearAssociate Curator, Historical Canadian Art Winnipeg Art Gallery 204.786.6641 ext. 224 akear@wag.ca

E. Prudence Heward. Farmer’s Daughter, c. 1938. Oil on canvas. Framed, 66.6 x 66.5 cm. Winnipeg Art Gallery, Gift of the Estate of Prudence Heward , G-51-170

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Unidentified Quebec ArtistPortrait of a Lady, c. 1840–c. 1850Oil on canvasframed 83 x 63 cmWinnipeg Art Gallery, Gift of Ken MacDonald , 2006-19

Cornelius David KrieghoffCanadian (born in the Netherlands), 1815–1972Caughnawaga Indians at Camp, c. 1855Oil on canvasframed 43.18 x 66.04 cmOn loan to the Winnipeg Art Gallery from a private collection , 1535.008

Frederick Verner Canadian, 1836–1928Portage, Mary Lake, Muskoka, 1873Oil on boardframed 45.72 x 30.48 cmOn long-term loan to the Winnipeg Art Gallery from a private collection , 1536.042

Emily CoonanCanadian, 1885–1971 The Fairy Tale, c. 1911Oil on wood panelframed 23.4 x 24.7 cmWinnipeg Art Gallery, Gift of Mr. Peter Dobush , G-65-65

Frederick Horsman VarleyCanadian (born in England), 1881–1969 J.W.G. Jock Macdonald, 1930Oil on canvasframed 50.7 x 45.9 cmWinnipeg Art Gallery; Acquired with funds from The Winnipeg Foundation and an anonymous donor , G-72-8

E. Prudence HewardCanadian, 1896–1947 Farmer’s Daughter, c. 1938Oil on canvas framed, 66.6 x 66.5 cmWinnipeg Art Gallery, Gift of the Estate of Prudence Heward , G-51-170

Ozias LeducCanadian, 1864–1955 Study for the Portrait of Gertrude Leduc, 1939Oil on board framed 24.0 x 17.0 cmWinnipeg Art Gallery, Gift from the estate of Gertrude Leduc, 2003-109

List of Works

Owners of all the works are willing to lend. Values provided on request for insurance purposes.

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People (11 works)

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Jack Weldon HumphreyCanadian, 1901–1967 Little Girl With Yellow Headdress, c. 1939Oil on hardboard framed 50.9 x 40.8 cmWinnipeg Art Gallery, Gift of Mr. Peter Dobush, G-65-128

Philip SurreyCanadian, 1910–1990 Rue Henri Julien (Adolescents), c. 1965Oil on canvas framed 60.5 x 70.7 cmWinnipeg Art Gallery, Gift of Vernon S. MacKelvie in memory of his parents, Charles W.L. MacKelvie and Josephine (Hibbard) MacKelvie and his brother, James A. MacKelvie, killed in action in World War II , G-88-382

Jean Paul LemieuxCanadian, 1904–1990 La Conversation, 1968Oil on canvas framed 104.14 x 170.18 cmOn loan to the Winnipeg Art Gallery from a private collection, 1536.024

William KurelekCanadian, 1927–1977 Late Summer at Centre Island, 1972Mixed media on panelframed 121.92 x 60.96 cmOn loan to the Winnipeg Art Gallery from a private collection, 1536.023

John HammondCanadian, 1843–1939 Tantramar Marsh, n.d.Oil on canvas boardframed 50.3 x 61.9 cmWinnipeg Art Gallery, Gift of Mrs. Bernard Naylor in memory of her father, the Honourable T.A. Crerar, P.C.C.C., L.L.D., G-76-941

James Wilson MorriceCanadian, 1865–1924 Le Havre, c. 1909Oil on canvasframed 50.17 x 60.96 cmOn loan to the Winnipeg Art Gallery from a private collection, 1536.030

Maurice Galbraith CullenCanadian, 1866–1934 Moonlight Landscape, n.d.Oil on canvasframed 73.66 x 167.64 cmOn loan to the Winnipeg Art Gallery from a private collection, 1536.007

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Place (19 works)

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J.E.H. MacDonaldCanadian (born in England), 1873–1932 Sleeping Fields, 1915Oil on canvasframed 40.64 x 50.80 cmOn loan to the Winnipeg Art Gallery from a private collection, 1536.028

Marc-Auréle Fortin Canadian, 1888–1970 View of Montreal, 1915Oil on canvasframed 76.20 x 91.44 cmOn loan to the Winnipeg Art Gallery from a private collection, 1536.012

Tom ThomsonCanadian, 1877–1917 Winter Algonquin Park, 1916Oil on panelframed 21.59 x 26.67 cmOn loan to the Winnipeg Art Gallery from a private collection, 1536.039

Frank H. JohnstonCanadian, 1888–1949 Distant, Superior Algoma, c. 1917–c. 1918Oil on hardboardframed 26.5 x 33.8 cmWinnipeg Art Gallery, Gift from the Estate of Arnold O. Brigden, G-73-278

Arthur LismerCanadian (born in England), 1885–1969 Winter Forest, c. 1918Oil on canvasframed 60.69 x 52.07 cmOn loan to the Winnipeg Art Gallery from a private collection, 1536.026

Marc-Aurèle de Foy Suzor-CôtéCanadian, 1869–1937 Sheep in the Valley, 1918Oil on canvasframed 50.80 x 68.58 cmOn loan to the Winnipeg Art Gallery from a private collection, 1536.038

Anne SavageCanadian, 1896–1971 October, c. 1920Oil on canvasframed 76.20 x 66.68 cmOn loan to the Winnipeg Art Gallery from a private collection, 1540.003

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Lawren S. HarrisCanadian, 1885–1970 Mountain Sketch XCII, c. 1924Oil on panelframed 30.48 x 38.10 cmOn loan to the Winnipeg Art Gallery from a private collection, 1536.014

Kathleen Moir MorrisCanadian, 1893–1986 Bonsecourt Market, Montreal, 1924Oil on panelframed 25.40 x 35.56 cmOn loan to the Winnipeg Art Gallery from a private collection, 1540.001

A.Y. JacksonCanadian, 1882–1974 Les Eboulements, PQ, c. 1925Oil on panelframed 50.80 x 66.04 cmOn loan to the Winnipeg Art Gallery from a private collection, 1536.019

Franklin CarmichaelCanadian, 1890–1945 Autumn Woods, c. 1925Oil on panelframed 30.48 x 24.77 cmOn loan to the Winnipeg Art Gallery from a private collection, 1536.002

Nora Frances Elizabeth CollyerCanadian, 1898–1979 The Round Barn, Mansonville, 1930Oil on boardframed 40.6 x 45.9 cmWinnipeg Art Gallery, Gift of Mr. Peter Dobush, G-65-27

Emily CarrCanadian, 1871–1945 Boles, c. 1935Oil on paper on canvasframed 83.36 x 57.15 cmOn loan to the Winnipeg Art Gallery from a private collection, 1535.001

J.W.G. “Jock” MacdonaldCanadian (born in Scotland), 1897–1960 Spring Awakening, 1937Oil on canvasframed 76.20 x 60.96 cmOn loan to the Winnipeg Art Gallery from a private collection, 1535.011

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A.J. Casson Canadian, 1898–1982 Aftermath, 1944Oil on canvasframed 76.20 x 91.44 cmOn loan to the Winnipeg Art Gallery from a private collection, 1535.002

Doris McCarthyCanadian, 1910– Home, 1965Oil on canvasframed 187.96 x 121.92 cmOn loan to the Winnipeg Art Gallery from a private collection, 159.003

Jean-Paul Riopelle Canadian, 1923–2002Forêt, 1954Oil on canvasframed 96.52 x 145.42 cmOn loan to the Winnipeg Art Gallery from a private collection, 1535.015

Marcel BarbeauCanadian, 1925– Ouvri, 1956–1957Oil on canvasframed 76.20 x 101.60 cmOn loan to the Winnipeg Art Gallery from a private collection, 1539.001

Don JarvisCanadian, 1923–2001 Night Forms, 1958Oil on canvas framed 91.7 x 69.0 cmWinnipeg Art Gallery, Gift of the Women's Committee, G-58-7

Guido MolinariCanadian, 1933–2004 Yellow Verticals, 1959Acrylic on canvasframed 128.0 x 113.4 cmWinnipeg Art Gallery, Gift of the Women's Committee, G-62-106

William RonaldCanadian, 1926–1998 Scotch, 1960Oil on canvasframed 193.04 x 152.40 cmOn loan to the Winnipeg Art Gallery from a private collection, 1535.016

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Paint (10 works)

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Richard GormanCanadian, 1935– Miniature Series No. 12, 1964Oil on canvasframed 43.5 x 53.5 cmWinnipeg Art Gallery, Gift of David and Dorothy Torontow, 2007-142

Kenneth LochheadCanadian, 1926–2006 Purple Inside, 1964Acrylic on canvasframed 170.2 x 135.9 cmWinnipeg Art Gallery; Gift of the artist, 2000-134

Tony TasconaCanadian, 1926–2006 Arrow Dynamics, 1966Lacquer on masoniteframed 122.0 x 111.5 cmWinnipeg Art Gallery, Gift from the Estate of Tony Tascona, 2007-27

Rita LetendreCanadian, 1928– Sunburst, 1971Acrylic on canvasframed 76.20 x 101.60 cmOn loan to the Winnipeg Art Gallery from a private collection, 1535.010

Tim ZuckCanadian (born in United States), 1947– Untitled #87, 1978Oil, graphite on canvasframed 51.0 x 51.0 cmWinnipeg Art Gallery, Gift of Dr. and Mrs. William F. Campbell, G-94-254

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12Winnipeg Art Gallery 300 Memorial Boulevard, Winnipeg, MB, Canada R3C 1V1 • 204.786.6641 • F 204.788.4998 • wag.ca

To book contact Jasmina Jovanovic, Head, Museum Services, 204.786.6641 ext. 223 or museumservices@wag.ca

COVER Franklin Carmichael. Autumn Woods, c. 1925. Oil on panel. Framed 30.48 x 24.77 cm. On loan to the Winnipeg Art Gallery from a private collection, 1536.002