The Group of Seven
I’m frustrated by the number of people I come in contact with who have no idea who the Group of Seven is. I try to explain their influence in developing the Canadian identity. The Tom Thomson Gallery writes:
As an “outpost” of culture, Canadians followed the rules of the European art world. Canadian art authorities did not believe that our rough landscape was fit subject matter for art. “It’s bad enough to live in this country,” an old lady once told A.Y. Jackson, “without having pictures of it in your home.” This, and the attitude that pine trees were unpaintable, slowly began to change.
The Group of Seven’s original members were J.E.H. MacDonald, Lawren Harris, A.Y. Jackson, Arthur Lismer, Franklin Carmichael, F.H. Varley and Frank Johnston. I have no doubt that you may recognize their work once you see it.
The Group of Seven and Canadian Identity: A first year art history essay.
This is too tempting of a post to comment on. The problem with the Group of Seven as most postmodern art critics will tell you is that the Group of Seven sometimes sufferes the role of being the definitive Canadian art identity.
But this topic is about Canadian Identity I suppose, not necessarily Canadian Art Identity.
Ahh Wilderness! The Raw landscapes and majestic colours of nature. That’s what the world thought of Canada over a century ago: a wild land to be tamed. The Group of Seven’s Aesthetic, considered garrish compared to European standards at the time, is what set them apart. Their style was as wild as the landscapes they portrayed. It was a Canadian art for a for those who saw Canada as a wild unatamed nation; One point of view.
Emily Carr was somewhat considered an honourary member of the Group of Seven. Her colourful paintings and romanticized reflection of Pacific coast natives. The problem was, she never actually knew them. Her paintings were of an era that she did not live in, yet her paintings and writings create a fabric of our Canadian Identity (accurate or not).
But this is about the Original Group. Like most new artist movements, they weren’t appreciated for their avant guard. Yet now we only seem to revere their landscapes…. perhaps too much. Credit is due to the Group of Seven for their role in Canadian Identity, but they’re not the sole Champions.
Not to sound all art snobberty here, but chances are barely anyone knows of the highly patriotic work by Joyce Wieland.
Canadian artists suffered in the roots of European-centric culture horribly so. Paris was the heart of the art world until New York took over after World War 2. Canadian Culture took off after that, but art education and awareness never kept up.
Like most nations, we revere past art. In some cases, it de-legitimizes contemporary art practices. Who knows about Janet Cardiff, Lisa Steele, Michael Snow, Agenetha Dyck, Betram Booker, John Lyman, Wanda Koop, etc? I suppose that’s my fustration.
The Group of Seven is only a narrow tip of the iceberg. The rest of Canadian Culture lies underneath the waves, unseen by most.
OK, so it’s a relief to know that some people know who the Group of Seven are. And I’d agree that they are a tip of the iceberg, a fleeting moment in Canadian history. However, I’m still dismayed that many of my peers have never even heard of them. Perhaps I shouldn’t be — there seems to be a general lack of Canadian history knowledge amongst Canadians. But that is another post altogether.
Dismayed?
It’s an unfortunately reality. But that is the exceedingly large argument of mainstream, popular mono-culture that we import and consume in droves vs smaller, developmental Canadian culture that spend my life advocating.
It’s a shame – even fustrating that people in general are unwilling to extend from our externally-defined realms of cultural acceptability.
I assure you, your initial discomfort is part of the natual proccess of avant guard, and is nothing compared to the consequences of losing our cultural sovreignty.
I should stop ranting before I force all of you to read my research papers on the topic.
I had no idea you were such a fan, Jenn. I have to admit, although I’ve always considered myself an artist, I only learned about the Group of Seven in grade 10 or 11. My art teacher was astounded and no doubt a bit preturbed about this. I don’t blame him… even being a grad of a BFA, what I know about art could fill the palm of my hand. It’s sad.
I’m one of the people you’re dismayed about Jen. This is the first that I’ve heard of them (and no, I didn’t recognize any of their work although the subjects were familiar). I wish I knew more about art, it’s one of my many deficiencies.