In her own words, Emily Carr said she had nothing in common with her own generation and much more in common with the young generation.
In Victoria, the younger artists recognized Carr’s talent and were influenced by her – and would likely be honoured to know their work will be displayed alongside Carr’s at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria this fall.
“She pioneered modernism in Canada, and in the 1930s and 1940s young Victoria artists sought her out for art instruction, mentorship, and conversation,” said Michelle Jacques, AGGV chief curator.
“Their interest in her work and ideas was rejuvenating to Carr, and it is undeniable that she had a certain impact on the artistic output of these members of the young generation.”
Emily Carr and the Young Generation, opened Aug. 29, and features works from Carr and a handful of artists, including Max Maynard, Jack Shadbolt, Ina D.D. Uhthoff, Myfanwy Pavelic and Edythe Hembroff-Schleicher – all Canadians.
Many of the paintings feature Vancouver Island locales, such as Saseenos, Whiffen Spit in Sooke and a First Nation’s reservation in Cowichan. A portrait of Carr with her dog by Hembroff-Schleicher will also be on display.
This unique exhibit is the pleasant result of the AGGV loaning seven of its Carr paintings, which had been featured in the AGGV’s long-running Emily Carr: On the Edge of Nowhere to the Dulwich Picture Gallery in London, England for the exhibit Painting Canada: Emily Carr in British Columbia.
“We are thrilled to be contributing to this long overdue presentation of Carr’s work overseas,” said Jacques. “While several of our beloved Carr paintings will travel to Dulwich, to be featured in an exhibition that will surely secure Carr’s rightful place on the international stage of art history, Emily Carr and the Young Generation will tell the story of the artist’s origins, impact and legacy in Victoria.”
Emily Carr and the Young Generation, which runs through to Aug. 28, 2015, will also be a chance to see these other talented artists’ depictions of Vancouver Island, and its people.
For more information, visit www.aggv.ca or call 250-384-4171.