What is the tie between the Tom Thomson and Huntsville?
 |
| |
 |
Forbes Hill, Huntsville, Ontario (above).
Thomson’s Forbes Hill by Gerry Lantaigne at
Muskoka Heritage Place (lower photo).
www.muskokaheritageplace.org |
The art of Tom Thomson and the Group of Seven will be historically remembered as impacting the Canadian art world, primarily by embracing the wilderness areas they so lovingly depicted. In particular, Thomson’s images of the north have always been deeply representative of Algonquin Park and the Huntsville area. Thomson spent much time painting in and around Huntsville, one of Thomson’s sketch works, Forbes Hill, has been replicated in to a small mural, which now hangs at Muskoka Heritage Place Muskoka Heritage Place property is located next to Forbes Hill. In fact, Thomson spent the last years of his young life painting here, until his mysterious and untimely death at Canoe Lake, in Algonquin Park.
Who are the Group of Seven?
J.E.H. MacDonald, Lawren Harris, A.Y. Jackson, Arthur Lismer, F.H. Varley, Franklin Carmichael, and Frank H. Johnston are the founding members of the Group of Seven. Although, Thomson painted with these individuals, he passed away before the Group of Seven was formed.
How did the Group of Seven get started?
According to our Artist Director Gerry Lantaigne:
“Tom Thomson and the Group of Seven were spurred on by the ideals of Algonquin Park and the Canadian northland, this group of friends ventured into the wilderness as voyageurs with their canvas and paints, and discovered their expression for their Canadian ideals in art.
They met while working as commercial artists at various Toronto printing firms. On weekends they would take sketching trips, painting scenes around the City. In 1912, Thomson went to Algonquin Park. Upon his return, his friends were so inspired by the Thomson paintings; they started to join his summer sketching trips. They would spend a few weeks inside the Park canoeing, portaging and painting the scenery. A common thread was beginning to take shape in their works, and discussions of art abounded.
At this time painting outside the accepted realm of realism was critically rejected and shunned by most art dealers in Canada. These painters set out to stretch the limitations and restrictions facing Canadian artists, and their works and ideals sparked debates about a new art form; a conflict that would last twenty years.
In 1917 with World War I, these friends were scattered across the globe. Some were hired by the Canadian War Records Department to paint the actions of the troops. Thomson being unable to go into military service spent the summer in Algonquin Park. In previous years he had been a ranger and fire fighter, but found that these activities interfered with his ability to produce more work. Thomson intended to paint every day, but drowned in Canoe Lake in the Park on July 8, 1917. The news of his tragic death devastated his companions, who saw it as a bright light extinguished.
After WWI the artists reconvened and formed a collective called The Group of Seven, to put up a front to the negative reactions to their work. Their first show was in 1920, and included some of Thomson’s canvases. They spread out painting all corners of Canada and uniting the nation through their art. With the passing of founding member J.E.H. Macdonald in 1932, the group disbanded, leaving an indelible mark on the Canadian psyche.
The Group of Sevens' works are a legacy to our Canadian cultural identity. Algonquin Park was their school and spawning ground. They inspired generations of young artists to experience the wilderness of expressive freedom. Their story and struggle to change the opinion of what art should be was inspired by their high spirited camaraderie, and their belief in Canada as a young and vital country.”
Why is there a Tom Thomson statue in Huntsville?
|
Tom Thomson Bronze Statue by Brenda Wainman Goulet |
“The statue was unveiled on May 18, 2005 by Huntsville’s Mayor Hugh Mackenzie, council members and the hundreds who attended the event. The unveiling was the kickoff of a week of celebrations marking the opening of the new Algonquin Theatre and Huntsville Civic Centre.
The Tom Thomson statue was a gift to the Town of Huntsville on behalf of a generous list of donors. The donors are listed on the canoe that sits alongside Tom Thomson. There is also a dedication on the canoe, it reads:
To the Memory of Tom Thomson 1877 – 1917
An artist, woodsman, guide and dreamer, whose brilliant vision defined the Canadian wilderness and captured the majesty and many colourful moods of Algonquin Park.
The project was a two year commitment on behalf of sculptor Brenda Wainman-Goulet. The statue began with research, about eight months of sculpting and then casting of approximately six months. The original sculpture was sculpted in wax over Styrofoam and through the ‘lost wax’ casting method was cast into bronze. Cast at the art foundry, Artcast Inc., in Georgetown, Ontario the original was cut into pieces, cast and reassembled in bronze. The complete sculpture including the stump that Tom is sitting on weights five hundred and fifty pounds.
The twelve foot canoe was sculpted in wax, cut into sections, cast and reassembled in bronze. The total weight of the bronze canoe is 900 lbs. The canoe is the first bronze canoe of its kind in Canada.
The statue was conceived and sculpted by Huntsville Sculptor Brenda Wainman-Goulet. Born in Huntsville, Brenda’s early years were spent in Algonquin Provincial Park, where her father was Deputy Chief Ranger. Much of her sculpture reflects these roots. She has been acclaimed for her bronze on stone landscapes and whimsical figures. Brenda is a graduate of the Ontario College of Art and Design and has been sculpting for 25 years. Her sculptures can be found in public venues and private homes throughout Muskoka, across Canada and abroad." This write up was taken from the Algonquin Theatre’s website www.algonquintheatre.ca |
