Vancouver Art Gallery Features "Dawn" the Artistic Process of The Group of Seven |
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| Written by Kevin Bradley |
| Tuesday, 17 November 2009 00:44 |
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 “Armed with
paints, brushes and small panels, The Group of Seven set off into Canada ’s
wilderness to capture the landscape with extraordinary immediacy,” said Ian
Thom, senior curator of historical art. “The painted sketches they produced
represent the artists’ direct connection with and contemplation of nature. When
looking at this work together with finished large-scale paintings one can
witness the artists’ process and get a palpable sense of their experience of the
environment around them.” The Group of Seven have left an indelible mark on Canadian culture. The landscapes depicted in their paintings—mountain peaks, desolate lakes, unassuming villages, industrial settlements and decaying forests—have come to represent quintessential visions of Canada . Despite differences in ideology and application, the artists collectively set out to respond to the environment around them in order to articulate the distinctive qualities of their country. They did not aim to depict the land in realistic terms. Instead, they chose to reflect an emotional response to the breath and drama of the Canadian landscape and the character of the nation’s people. Working directly from the dramatic scenery they explored, the artists captured the landscape in small scale paintings rendered on board. This on-the-spot process fostered experimentation with new subjects, colours and techniques, resulting in a wide range of styles and the incorporation of a variety of influences outside traditional Canadian artistic practice. Originally intended as studies for later elaboration on larger canvases, the Group’s sketches stand on their own as tremendous examples of the artists’ expressive talent. Presented together with a selection of the Gallery’s paintings by the Group, these studies provide an intimate look into the how the artists created some of the most iconic images of the Canadian wilderness ever produced. Dawn: Sketches and Paintings by the Group of Seven is organized by the Vancouver Art Gallery and is curated by Ian Thom, senior curator of historical art. Vancouver is one of the most vibrant, progressive cities in the world and I believe the Vancouver Art Gallery has a responsibility to reflect this wealth of creativity and dynamic energy. The Gallery stands in the centre of a city recognized as a nurturing ground for artistic talent. Through cutting-edge exhibitions, we feature the work of leaders in the field of contemporary art and Vancouver's internationally renowned artists, including Jeff Wall, Ian Wallace, Stan Douglas, Rodney Graham, Roy Arden and Brian Jungen, serving as a portal for their remarkable achievements while furthering British Columbia's artistic legacy. The Gallery also houses the magnificent works of significant historical artists, including the most extensive collection of the work of Canada's beloved Emily Carr. Our permanent holdings number nearly 10,000 artworks, making the Gallery among the most valuable collections in Canada. Visit : http://www.vanartgallery.bc. Click on logo below to add this article to your favorite Social Website ~ |
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