Tom ThomsonPrevious ISBN: 978-1-550054-898-3New in PaperbackThe first major multi-authored book on Thomson -- critical, complex, and a triumph of publishingBook DescriptionTo those who have the notion that everything has been said about the iconic Canadian artist Tom Thomson (1877-1917), colleague of the famed Group of Seven, this book brings many surprises. Six expertly written essays contribute to a new understanding of Thomson's place in the rise of a truly national art. For the first time, here is the artist's oeuvre attentively considered in the context of the period in which he lived.Andrew Hunter views the mythic Thomson as an active artist and as he was defined after his death by friends, through exhibitions and in the popular media; he also explores early-twentieth-century ideals of nationhood, manliness, heroism and sacrifice, as well as the era's evolving relationship of city to country. Robert Stacey traces Thomson's career as a commercial artist, showing how his employment by innovative firms and his shared interests with colleagues influenced him. Dennis Reid proposes that Thomson's response to the principles of the Arts and Crafts movement was an inspiration to the artists who became the Group of Seven. John Wadland positions Thomson-artist, naturalist and wilderness guide-in Ontario locales, just when the meaning of the North as useful land was changing from the service of one industry, logging, to that of another, tourism. Charles C. Hill's biographical essay presents an insightful interpretation and stylistic analysis of Thomson's body of work. Sandra Webster-Cook and Anne Ruggles write about the artist's methods and palette. Joan Murray offers a detailed, annotated chronology.Lavishly illustrated with 140 colour plates and 100 black-and-white photographs, this book marks an important advance in the appreciation of this remarkable Canadian artist and reflects with vivacity the context that produced him.Author BiographiesAndrew Hunter, an independent artist, writer and curator, has a B.F.A. from Nova Scotia College of Art and Design. He has been a curator at the Vancouver Art Gallery and Art Gallery of Hamilton.Robert Stacey, an independent curator, art historian, writer and editor, has published extensively on Canadian art historical subjects.Dennis Reid, Chief Curator at the Art Gallery of Ontario and a professor at the University of Toronto, has been a curator at the National Gallery of Canada and the Art Gallery of Ontario. He is a Member of the Order of Canada.John Wadland, Professor of Canadian Studies at Trent University, was Editor of the Journal of Canadian Studies and Director of the Frost Centre for Canadian Studies and Native Studies.Charles C. Hill, Curator of Canadian Art at the National Gallery of Canada, studied at McGill University and the University of Toronto. He has published numerous books on Canadian art. He is a Member of the Order of Canada.Sandra Webster-Cook, B.Sc. (Hons., University of Guelph) and Master's of Art Conservation (Queen's University), is Conservator of Paintings at the National Gallery of Canada.Joan Murray, Director Emerita of the Robert McLaughlin Gallery, studied at the University of Toronto and Columbia University. |
