| BRITISH COLUMBIA ARTISTS |
Dear Sir,
Today I received a letter from my artist friend Mr. Kenneth Hoff. He
is residing at Rosedale, B.C. and has an exhibition coming up in your
gallery Aug. 17-22. He asks that I give you a short biographical note
as he feels that he would rather not write of himself. I hope you
will not mind. I have known Ken for a good many years and any time
he spent in Vancouver - a good deal of it was with yours truly.
Kenneth Hoff is 26 years of age. He was born in Alberta on a farm
in the southern part. There he was raised and schooled by struggling
parents until shortly before the 2nd war. At that time he came to
the west coast and managed to find a job after almost starving
walking the streets in search of employment. He drew and painted
from childhood and when war broke out he worked as a machinist for
Dominion Bridge in Vanc. and painted in his spare time.
Previous to his machinist work Ken joined the Permanent Army - was
discharged when his father became ill - drafted a little later when
his machinist work was just becoming routine. With his discharge in
hand Ken attended the V.S.A. on rehabilitation for 2 years. He and
his wife Amy then travelled to Mexico City where he painted and studied
the murals of Oroyco (sic) and Rivera and executed some lithographs
in the same shop that Sigueros and Orozco worked.
From Mexico he travelled to Toronto where he painted for a year. From
Toronto Ken and his wife came to the west coast once more. From here
they hope to travel east to Montreal.
Where painting is concerned Ken is one of the most sincere and
conscientious people I know. He is not eager to jump on the bandwagon
of modern art. He is willing to sweat it out.
As you can see I am no writer but the facts are there and if I can
be of further use to you I shall be pleased to be so at any time.
Phone N.W. 1361Y after 6:30 p.m. or Tatlow 2421 during day. At latter
number tell them I am in stock-room or bindery. I don't imagine you
will need a great deal more.
Thank and I am,
Sincerely yours,
p.s. if necessary I can drop in at Gallery between 12 and 12:20 noon.