FASS student honours Newfoundland artist in National Gallery exhibit

by Nicole Findlay

Crystal Parsons, an MA student in Art History at the School for Studies in Art and Culture, is putting theory to practice. Parson’s proposal for a traveling exhibit was selected from numerous entries from across Canada.

Over the next few years, Parsons will work with staff at the gallery to produce Maurice Cullen and His Circle. She anticipates the exhibition will focus primarily on Culleen’s work in landscapes and influence on other Canadian landscape artists including James Wilson Morrice, William Brymner, Robert Pilot and A.Y. Jackson.

“Cullen is an important figure in Canadian art history and yet I think he is relatively little known by the public,” said Parsons. “I really hope this exhibition will introduce his work to new audiences who are not familiar with him.”

Parsons interest in Cullen extends beyond his work. Although separated by decades, they share the same hometown, St. John’s, Newfoundland. Cullen (1866-1934) was born in St. John’s and relocated to Quebec with his family. After completing his studies in France, he returned to Quebec where he spent most of his life. He did make trips back to Newfoundland to paint.

“I was really captivated by this artist who went out into the world, learnt as much as he could, returned to Canada and made such an impact on art,” explains Parsons.

The National Gallery’s Guest Curator program invites curators from across Canada to submit proposals for traveling exhibits that would use works from the gallery’s permanent collection.

The exhibit will tour Canada in 2008-2009 and while the venues haven’t yet been determined, Parsons hopes to introduce Cullen’s work through galleries that have had few opportunities to exhibit his work.