Works on Paper December 12, 2009 - January 2, 2010
Jack Chambers (1931 - 1978)
Born in London, Ontario, Jack spent eight years studying in Spain after studying at H. B. Beal Secondary School and the University of Western Ontario.
During his time in Spain, London had developed a lively cultural scene. Chambers returned to establish himself as one of its major figures, contributing to the development of local artist-run centres and participating in group shows, founding Canadian Artists Representation, and exhibiting his art and films in Toronto with Isaacs Gallery, and later with Nancy Poole's Studio.
In 1969 he was diagnosed with leukemia. For the rest of his life he painted more realistically, depicting life at home and around the London area.
His work can be seen in the National Gallery, The Art Gallery of Ontario, and Museum London. An elementary school and the streets surrounding it are named for him in London.
Greg Curnoe (1936 - 1992)
Born in London, Ontario, Greg Curnoe's work was central to the Regionalist movement that concentrated on subjects about life in London and its surrounding area. Greg studied at H. B. Beal Secondary School and Doon School of Art, as well as The Ontario College of Art, where his desire for innovation led to him not completing his final year.
He went on to develop a bright and graphic style with frequent use of letters and numbers, more rooted in Dada than in Pop-Art, as well helping to found Region Magazine, The Nihilist Party, The Nihilist Spasm Band, The Forest City Gallery, and co-founding Canadian Artists Representation with Jack Chambers in 1968.
As is frequently in evidence in his work, Curnoe was an avid cyclist. Tragically, he died when his cycling club was struck by a truck in 1992.
Curnoe's work is represented in numerous private and public collections worldwide, including The National Gallery, The Art Gallery of Ontario, and Museum London; and he represented Canada at The XXXVII Venice Biennale in 1976.
Brian Jones (1950 - 2008)
Brian Jones was born in 1950 in Chatham, a small city in south-western Ontario.
Upon completion of his training at H. B. Beal Technical School in London and after a brief apprenticeship with Jack Chambers, Brian became determined to pursue full time painting. From the very beginning, his work depicted people during moments in their everyday lives - walking the dog, shoveling snow, picnicking in the park and visiting the grandparents. These drawings represent the streamlined "nieghbours" style that he developed from earlier photorealist works.
He won many grants and awards, including the Queen's Silver Jubilee award in 1977; OSA Best Oil Award, 1985, and the "Young Achievers" National Award 1982. The artist is represented in many major public collections: Canada Council Art Bank, Museum London, McIntosh Gallery University of Western Ontario, Confederation Art Gallery, Province of Ontario, City of Toronto Archives and in Corporate and Private Collections throughout Canada, the US and Europe.