LIGHTS OUT!
Canadian Painting from the 1960s
February 18 to April 29, 2012
Michael Morris
Untitled, 1967 acrylic on canvas Collection Vancouver Art Gallery, Acquisition Fund, Gift of Mr. Alfred Blundell 
Greg Curnoe
Myself Walking North in the Tweed Coat, 1963 oil on plywood Collection Vancouver Art Gallery, Acquisition Fund, © Greg Curnoe Estate / SODRAC (2011) |
The 1960s was a decade of enormous political and cultural tumult
throughout the world. This was certainly true of Canada and
Canadian art. As the country celebrated its 100th anniversary in
1967, modernist painting was strong in all regions of the country,
but debates between the merits of figuration and abstraction
were abundant. The important centres of activity, such as Halifax,
Montreal, Toronto, London, Regina and Vancouver, each contributed
to the national dialogue in a distinct fashion. The Vancouver Art Gallery holds a rich collection of paintings from the 1960s, as exemplified by the works of artists such as Suzanne Bergeron, Ronald Bloore, Yves Gaucher, Kenneth Lochhead, Michael Morris, Michael Snow (whose important 1963 canvas has provided the title for this exhibition), Harold Town and Joyce Wieland. Canadian painting during the sixties was diverse and ranged from the colourfield works of Jack Bush and bold optical images of Claude Tousignant, to the haunting figurative works of Jack Chambers and Jean-Paul Lemieux, to name only a few. Lights Out! Canadian Painting from the 1960s reflects the diversity and strength of this exceptional era. Organized by the Vancouver Art Gallery and curated by Ian Thom, senior curator, historical Generously Supported by our Visionary Partner: Michael O'Brian Family Foundation |