Contemporary Canadian art, including that of British Columbia, is receiving considerable
material recognition. This success is due chiefly to the purchase of works of Dominion artists by
the International Business Machines Corporation for their famous collection.
Works of Vancouver artists thus recently acquired include paintings by
J.W.G. Macdonald and William P. Weston,
A.R.C.A., and an etching by Paul Goranson, mural painter and member of the
Vancouver School of Art Staff.
Purchases have also been made of paintings by Alexander J. Musgrove and
Lemoine L. Fitzgerald of Manitoba, Bernard Middleton and
Nikolas de Grandmaison of Alberta, and Ernest F. Lindner and
Frederick Steiger of Saskatchewan.
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Since he came to the Dominion from Scotland in 1926, J.W.G. Macdonald has devoted much
of his efforts to the interpretation of glaciers, mountain plateaus and rugged coasts.
His scenes of Indian life and his abstract paintings have figured frequently in exhibitions
at the Gallery where his "Burial at Nootka" is regarded as one of the
finest examples of Canadian art in the permanent collection.
"DRYING HERRING ROE"
The Macdonald painting acquired by this well-known business corporation is entitled "Drying
Herring Roe." The canvas depicts in a bold design and with striking colors the Nootka Indians'
way of curing herring's eggs for winter food. The picture was included in the 1938 exhibition
at the Tate Gallery, London, of "A Century of Canadian Art."
* * *
After the purchase of one of the paintings of William P. Weston, A.R.C.A., by Her Royal
Highness the Princess Alice during the recent visit to Vancouver, this distinguished local
artist has received anothr honor. His large painting "Yesterday, Today and Forever,"
suggesting the ageless grandeur of the Canadian Rockies, also has been purchased by the I.B.M.
Coming to Canada from England in 1909, Mr. Weston became art director in the
Vancouver public schools and later art master of the Provincial
Normal School. He has been a frequent exhibitor in the Art Gallery and the
National Gallery.
Along with the painting by J.W.G. Macdonald, his picture will form part of the collection of 103
paintings from Canada, the United States and Latin America in this year's Canadian National
Exhibition at Toronto. The collection is scheduled to be seen early next winter at the
Vancouver Art Gallery.
PORTRAIT PURCHASED
The portrait of Mary Capilano by Nan Lawson Cheney, well-known
North Vancouver artist, has been purchased by Alan Plaunt of Ottawa. This was the last, and
perhaps the finest, portrait of the venerable Indian lady whose recent death marked the
passing of a characterful figure of the city. The picture was much admired when exhibited
at the Vancouver Art Gallery.
Watercolors by J.G. Nilan now showing at the gallery contain
interesting passages of color which recall at times the warmth and contrasts of Renoir.
While lacking somewhat in force and concentration in a main motif the sketches have charm
and character, as in "Fisherman's Wash, Sunbury," and "Near Eagle Harbor, West Vancouver."
Mr. Nilan's successful handling of trees is shown in "Tree Study" and "Water Killed
Timber, Alouette Lake."
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