BRITISH COLUMBIA ARTISTS  

George A.F. Foster

1904 -

Foster King Art Studio (with Ted King)


George Foster was born in England in 1904, and came to Canada in 1913. He had a group exhibition at the Vancouver Art Gallery in 1936 with Edwin C. Lockey and R. Stuart Scott.

The following information is from a hand-written letter by Foster, sent in 1936 to the Vancouver Art Gallery regarding the sale of one of his paintings. The letter is provided courtesy of the Vancouver Art Gallery Library.


George A.F. Foster

Born in England - in 1904.

Came to Canada in 1913 - residing in Winnipeg, Man.

Studied at the Winnipeg School of Art, under Franz Johnston, Keith Gebhardt, and L.L. Fitzgerald. Was principally interested in "Life", winning a scholarship in this subject.

Moved to Vancouver in 1928, working since that time as a commercial artist.

Did not seriously devote any time to outdoor sketching until the summer of 1935. Prefer portrait work to landscape painting.

Have only exhibited on two occasions, the first time at the B.C. Artists' Exhibition, 1935; and at the Christmas Exhibition just concluding.

The picture "In Stanley Park", is a study of a moss-covered group just east of the big hollow tree, right on the roadside, and was sketched in September - just when the first Autumn tints were appearing on the surrounding foliage. "In Stanley Park" is the first picture Mr. Foster has had the privilege of selling.

The City Directory for 1946 lists the artist living in Vancouver, employed by the Foster-King Art Studio, married to Phyllis F. Foster.

BC Vital Statistics on-line did not provide any information on the artist as of May 2021.


GROUP EXHIBITIONS
DATE EXHIBITION ARTWORK
1935 Sept. 20 - Oct. 15 VAG   B.C. Artists 4th Annual Old Pier - Spanish Banks
1935 Nov. 22 - Dec. 8 VAG   B.C. Artists Christmas Exhibition Chrysanthemums
In Stanley Park
1936 April 7 - 19 VAG   Foster, E.C. Lockey, R.S. Scott ?
1946 Sept. 21 - Oct. 13 VAG   B.C. Artists 15th Annual Coal Harbour Chaos
Arbutus Point, Galiano Island

References

CITY & PROVINCIAL DIRECTORIES (refer to DIR) 1945

Clippings

"Among the watercolours should be noted a very striking study "Trees in Stanley Park" by George A.F. Foster ... "
      From "Christmas Exhibition At Art Gallery"
      Vancouver Art Gallery Press Release, November 1935

"No. 25 In Stanley Park by George A.F. Foster"
     "Mr. Foster was born in England in 1904 and came to Canada in 1913. Studied art at the Winnipeg School of Art where he won a scholarship. Moved to Vancouver in 1928 and is now employed as a commercial artist. Has only exhibited work on two occasions, viz. The Fourth Annnual B.C. Artists' Exhibition at the Art Gallery and the Christmas Exhibition 1935. "In Stanley Park" was painted in September 1935. This is the first picture Mr. Foster has sold. He resides at 4677 Drummond Drive."
     From "Pictures Purchased From 1935 Christmas Exhibition by Mr. D.N. Hossie"

"At the Art Gallery"
      West End Breeze, April 2 1936

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