Galerie Q Blog

Artistic representations of the vast Canadian landscape have held a special fondness in the hearts of Canadians since early European contact. The tradition has been so enduring that even after several hundred years, landscape painting is still as intrinsic to the identify of Canada as it has ever been. While modes of representation have changed drastically, the landscape genre has continued to hold a dominant place in the Canadian art market coast to coast. So what are the roots of this tradition and why has it been so pervasive throughout Canada’s past?

The first European representations of the land in Canada were completed by topographers of the British army. Under an imperial Britain with ambitions of territorial conquest, artists produced glorified images of explorations and the process of settlement against the background of an ever-present wilderness. Through the documentation and presentation of the Canadian landscape, Europeans were laying claim to the land and legitimizing their exploration and possession of North American territories. In the eyes of an imperial audience back home, the land was an unexploited resource, ripe for conquest and colonization.

Artist Susan Statham chosen for Canada’s Nation Builders Series sponsored by Galerie Q

Galerie Q celebrates Canada with ʻNation Buildersʼ- a series of unique and inspiring paintings by award winning artist and author Susan Statham. The first instalment begins with a tribute to Canada’s seventh Prime Minister Sir Wilfrid Laurier (1841-1919) whose historical significance and contribution to Canada during his time as prime minister is included as an integral part of the continuation of this project series.

When Robert and Signe McMichael purchased “Montreal River” by Lawren Harris in 1955, they paid just $250 for it. This was their first acquisition and since they could not afford that large sum, they paid for it in installments of $50 per month. While the couple was not exceedingly wealthy, they were true lovers of art and found a way to turn their dreams of owning a premier art collection into reality.

So why is original artwork so important?

Art critic Walter Benjamin once wrote “even the most perfect reproduction of a work of art is lacking in one element: its presence in time and space, its unique existence at the place where it happens to be.” Benjamin was concerned with authenticity, he believed that original works had a certain aura, something intrinsically linked to the artist and the materiality of paint and brush. Which is to say, that there is something invaluable about owning an original artwork, it is the ability to experience a painting in real time, as the artist had intended.

A critical way to enrich anyoneʼs understanding of Aboriginal arts is to go out and experience them!

--   France Trépanier & Chris Creighton-Kelly

Canadian art history began far before any settler put paint to brush. It began out of communication and necessity from the widespread and diverse Native peoples who had no word or concept for “art”. Art was created to enhance practical things like ceremonial dress, clothing, drums and shelter, and pipes. Markings on rock faces told stories and bore tribal identifiers. Carvings, beadings, weavings, and painted markings all served purposes—decoration was always also functional. Unlike the Europeans settlers who had a long history of enjoying art for art’s sake, the creation of beautiful things in Native Canadian communities was secondary to the creation of functional things.

As a country with two official languages, Canada has a breadth of artistic history stemming from both English and French cultures. The province of Québec has been instrumental in creating fine artists since the arrival of French settlers from Europe and continues to have a distinctive voice in the artistic landscape of the country today. Galerie Q is pleased to be a vessel that brings spectacular Canadian and French Canadian artistic masterpieces to the attention of discerning art lovers and collectors.

Adrien Hébert, Claude LeSauteur, and Albert Rousseau are just some of the French Canadian names that have gained prestige and acclaim in the art world. Galerie Q is very fortunate to represent a fine selection of Canadian artists, one of mention being Royal Canadian Academy of Arts artist Allen Sapp.

Behind every painting there is a story and within every building there is also a tale. It all began back in the 1900s for the building that Galerie Q now calls home on County Road 10. Originally built and utilized as the first post office in town the building is situated at the 4 corners of Cavan, perfectly set in the heart of the community.

The Cavan Monaghan township is picturesque, providing views of mountains, valleys, farms and creeks and all within 20 km of the City of Peterborough. It is also home to several nationally well-known artists and each year more members of the art community relocate to the area. Cavan is the ideal mix of relaxed country and bustling city life.
There are currently 44 historically designated properties in the Township and many others of interest to the Ontario Heritage Act. Needler's Mill, an 1820 built flour and saw mill, still stands adjacent to a dam that was constructed 192 years ago. The Old Firehall was built in 1881 and is now home to the Firefighters' Association Museum. It is that variety of local history that drew Galerie Q to the area and with it, the desire to keep that history alive.

The world contains such beauty and we often forget to take a step back to observe it.

It was Hemingway that said, 'There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.' and the lasting impression of his work helps validate such a strenuous commitment. Hemingway and many others know it can be an arduous task, creating, but artists do it because it is their passion; their passion to capture life's beauty and share it with others. Whether it be painting, sculpting, writing or another medium, an artist has a process. The process helps to stimulate the imagination and at times it even provides the assistance needed to endure. An idea, or an image, may invoke in the artist the first step but the path to the final project is rarely guaranteed to be easy. In fact, the creating can fluctuate from being sheer torture to being absolute bliss. The process can be an out of this world roller coaster. But an artist's creation is their baby and in the end, worth all the joy, sweat and tears.

Not everyone may stop to smell the roses but if we have artists, we have their work to admire and through it the chance to catch a glimpse of the best our world has to offer.

Artwork by Nathalie Voisine, available at Galerie Q

Galerie Q presents the Solo Exhibition of Claude Picher (RCA 1927 - 1998).

Quebec born Picher studied at the School of Fine Arts in Quebec (1945 - 1946) before winning a scholarship from the French government allowing for him to study at the Ecole du Louvre in Paris, France. While in Paris he also attended the National Superior School of Fine Arts (1948 - 1949).

Between 1950 and 1958, Picher was the Exhibition Director at the Musée du Quebec. From there he went on to work at the National Gallery of Canada, Eastern Region (1958 - 1962) and then established himself as the Assistant Director of the Musée du Quebec (1963 - 1964). It wasn't until 1964 that Picher began his life as a full time painter.

The marriage of baby blue, soft white and royal yellow swirled across a canvas to create the perfect sunrise setting. The layers of an image, not all at once seen, but when brought together ignite a reaction and feeling. The painting that leaves a lasting impression.These are the things that art can inspire and one of the reasons Galerie Q was established.

We believe arts and culture have the power to change and influence lives and communities through education in a positive way and as a not for profit, social enterprise our goal is to achieve this through programming of exhibitions, exploring the diversity of culture and by revisiting history to generate curiosity and productive public debates. As we are inspired, we wish for you to be as well. With a focus on French Canadian artwork, our gallery currently features paintings by Ginet Leblond, Antoine Dumas, Francesco Iacurto, Bruno Cote and as of January, RCA painter Claude Picher (1927-1998).