It’s no surprise to us that Canada is home to some of the world’s greatest talents (hello, Justin Bieber). But there’s another Canuck who is finally receiving the critical acclaim he deserves, albeit posthumously: artist Lawren Harris (1885 – 1970), the founder and financier of the famed Group of Seven painters.
Currently on view at the Art Gallery of Ontario is the exhibition The Idea of the North featuring over 60 of Harris’s paintings and curated by American actor, comedian and avid art collector, Steve Martin. Harris is not a new figure to Canadians, but thanks to Martin and now curator of the artist’s work in two American cities (Los Angeles and Boston), our neighbors to the south finally were given the opportunity to see how important his work was in shaping Modernism.
Harris is best known, along with his six colleagues, for painting a modern Canada, inspired by their Modernist European contemporaries and the rich and rocky terrain of this country. While Harris is famous for his association with the group of painters, only a small part of his career is spent with the group which formed officially in 1920 and disbanded in 1933 to allow for more artists across Canada to become a part of the group.
The Idea of the North illustrates how Harris was inspired by the forms and spirituality of the diverse landscapes of Canada. The artist completely transformed his style of painting following the journey to the great Arctic North, a trip that he took with his pal A.Y Jackson in 1930. The journey influenced his transition from Canadian landscape painter to pure abstract artist following his encounters in the North.
Greatly informing Harris’ colours and ideas was his belief in Theosophy. Theosophists believe that prolonged exposure to nature brings enlightenment, and particularity the pure blue and white Arctic North brings the greatest of truths.
Sidebar: the artist ended up marrying his best friend’s ex-wife and moved to New Mexico for a while before ending up in Vancouver. See, we have juicy scandals and great artists too, America! —Laura Busby
The Idea of the North is on July 1 to Sept. 18, 2016. Time entry tickets are required. Adult General Admission + Time ticket for this exhibition: $25. www.ago.com
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