Painting is still to a great extent dominated by a central image; corners in most cases are like uninvited guests at a party, uneasy and unattended.
Biography
A lifelong Torontonian, Harold Town was one of Canada's foremost abstract expressionists. After graduating from the Ontario College of Arts (now OCAD University), he worked as a commercial illustrator before becoming a founding member of the experimental group Painters Eleven in 1954. Town's work extended beyond paint; he experimented with various methods and materials, including lithography, collage, and even using a propane blow torch to alter his canvases. By the end of the 1960s, Town had exhibited his work internationally and represented Canada twice at the Venice Biennale. He became a celebrated figure in Canadian art, featuring on the covers of Maclean's and Time magazines. Despite criticism for remaining in Toronto rather than moving to New York to pursue emerging trends, Town stayed true to his roots, later shifting to figurative painting with playful and ironic pieces like his "Musclemen" series. Four years before his death in 1990, the Art Gallery of Ontario honored Town with a retrospective exhibition. His passing was deeply felt in the art community, leaving behind a legacy that continues to captivate audiences.
Nationality