By Michael Downing
When we travel, we tend to visit book stores, music shops, and art galleries. We’re both avid readers, so the pull of new titles is strong. As for music, we met in a band called Evolution Circus back in 2003–Jackie as the lead singer and me on percussion and backup vocals–so we’re always looking for new jams. As for art, Jackie is a talented artist and designer and I’ve studied the world of art meticulously over many decades, so there is lots for us to discuss.
Coffee and tea accompany these visits, naturally.
It makes sense, then, that one of our first stops was the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO). The website says it’s one of the largest art museums in North America, housing a collection of more than 90,000 works, ranging from European to contemporary Canadian.
But there was a big lesson in store for us, and that lesson related directly to the Group of Seven Canadian Artists and the Indigenous Group of Seven, neither of which I was familiar with, despite being an admitted Canadaphile. So, I am currently reading heavily about the Go7 and plan to continue my research into the Indigenous Group. I have also recently finished a series of four blog posts relating to Canadian artist Reilly Fitzgerald, whose work echoes the style and subject matter of the Go7, most particularly–at least initially for me–the work of Lawren Harris.
Harris was born in 1885 in Brantford, Ontario–same as Gretzky–and inherited his wealth through his father’s connection to the A. Harris firm, a farm machinery manufacturer which eventually went on to become Massey Ferguson. He attended the University of Toronto and served in the Canadian military during World War I. He died in 1970 in Vancouver at the age of 84.
Harris is understandably known for his landscapes, which are glorious, but, for me, it was his depictions of people’s homes and local buildings that really hit me. Look up Red House in Winter, Red House and Yellow Sleigh: 1919, A Row of Houses, or The Corner Store. Landscapes include Lake Superior, Winter Sunrise, and Mountain Forms.
Harris is often considered the unofficial leader of the Go7, which had, as its collective goal, to capture the “essential spirit” of the Canadian North. See David P. Silcox’s book: The Group of Seven and Tom Thompson.
So, yes, the work of Lawren Harris hit me hard, as it did Steve Martin. Here is a video of Steve Martin talking about Lawren Harris. Another resource is WikiArt, which has 49 works of Lawren Harris. But for now, however, I’m going to save my detailed discussions of the Go7 for another day and press on with our day at AGO.
One of the primary exhibits was by an artist named KAWS, whose given name is Brian Donnelly and who has worked as an illustrator and graffiti artist. I was not familiar with Donnelly, but I was definitely struck by his apocalypse Mickey Mouse. Mickey Mouse because of the gloves, apocalypse because instead of eyes, the figures have Xs. To be clear, we’re talking about sculpture, not paintings (although I believe the artist has worked in a variety of mediums), and the figures often look dejected. You have to see if for yourself.
According to Masterworks Fine Art Gallery, KAWS distinctive sculptures blur the lines between pop culture, street art, and fine art: “Characterized by their iconic cartoon-like characters, have become iconic in their own right, leaving an indelible mark on the contemporary art scene.”
The article continued: “KAWS’s sculptures are instantly recognizable for their oversized, distorted characters. His creations often feature characters borrowed from popular culture, such as Mickey Mouse, The Simpsons, and the Smurfs, which he reimagines with his unique twist. These sculptures are crafted with meticulous attention to detail, and KAWS’s signature “X” eyes and gloved hands add an element of mystery and intrigue to his characters.”
There was also a Canadian artist named Jack Bush who I liked very much. Images here.
There is so much more to cover, but those were the highlights from the Art Gallery of Ontario. If you’re ever in Toronto, you should visit.
My Writing Wanderland 