Angus Trudeau (1908-1984)

Angus Trudeau (1908-1984) – Artist Biography

Angus Trudeau spent his working life as a sailor and cook aboard the Lake Huron commercial ships. He devoted his spare time, and his retirement years to painting and model building. Trudeau’s language was Ojibwe and he spent virtually his whole life on or around Manitoulin Island, and in later life, on the Wikwemikong Reserve, where he was much admired by the younger generation of the Woodland School of painters.

Trudeau’s inspiration is drawn from the world of Manitoulin, although his vision is imbued with deeply personal insight. His subjects (the lake freighters and ferry boats, the bygone community buildings and events), are often portrayed through the diapason of memory or through reference materials he collected.

The artist’s self-taught style is well suited to the purity and freshness of his vision. The approach perfectly conveys the lively delight with which Trudeau viewed the world around him and its ghosts from the past. His paintings incorporate a variety of media, including some elements of collage.  Often bending the “laws” of perspective, they are startlingly vivid and richly evocative.

Exhibitions:
           
1976, 1978, 1980:       Solo shows at the Isaacs Gallery, Toronto
1973 to 1981:              Groups shows: Canada House Gallery, London, England
                                    Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto
                                    MacKenzie Gallery, Toronto
                                    Trent University, Peterborough
                                    Equinox Gallery, Vancouver
                                    Art Gallery of Brant, Brantford
1986 to 1987:              McMichael Canadian Collection, Kleinburg, then travelling to: Sarnia Art Gallery, London Regional Art Gallery,
                                    Mendel Art Gallery (Saskatoon), Thunder Bay Art Gallery.

Gallery Gevik Exhibitions

Manitoulin Island Carl Beam · Daphne Odjig · Angus Trudeau June 12 to July Long Weekend, 2010