Loch Gallery is delighted to present two concurrent exhibitions of new paintings by Philip Craig in our Toronto and Calgary galleries.
Our Toronto Gallery will be featuring paintings inspired by a recent trip to Trinity, Port Rexton and Bonavista, Newfoundland. In Calgary we have a new body of work drawn from a trip Craig took to the Rocky Mountains a few years ago. Both exhibitions showcase Canada's unique and varied beauty, captured by Craig's fresh brushwork and his unique perception of light and colour.
Inspired by a trip to Lake O'Hara, Philip Craig's new exhibition in Calgary showcases his awe of the Rockies.
"My first experience with the mountains was on a camping trip with my family in the summer of 1962. To this day I remember how that first view of the magnificent peaks took a hold of my imagination and inspired some of my very first oil paintings. I have since been lucky enough to return many times to Banff and Jasper, to wander through the many mountain passes, and take in the great beauty our great Canadian treasure has to offer.
Not long ago my son, photographer Jordan Craig, and I were afforded the unique experience of traveling up to Lake O’Hara as guests of Ian Loch and his family; we stayed at the Lodge and hiked the trails of this stunningly beautiful place. In this collection of new works you will find many compositions gleaned from this unforgettable trip. I have been to many mountain ranges in my time—from the Alps to the Andes—but even from a Canadian boy's perspective, nothing really compares to the breathtaking Canadian Rockies."
Philip Craig describes the collection of paintings inspired by a recent return to Newfoundland:
"Let me tell you about my relationship with Newfoundland. In 1975 I took my small family— Diane and our one year old son Jordan—to live in Newfoundland where I worked as set designer for the CBC. These were very busy and wonderful years. As my family grew, so did my experience as a painter. The first exhibition of my work was held at the LSPU hall in downtown St. John's and consisted of landscapes and portraits inspired by my life in Newfoundland. As a set designer I had ample opportunity to travel the island and found an abundance of inspiration.
After ten years we packed up three children and returned to Ontario so that I could paint full time. I have returned to Newfoundland many times since. Each time I gravitate more and more towards the small communities of Trinity, Port Rexton and Bonavista where I can work and spend time with our dear old friends. This summer I set up my studio in a historic forge in the town of Trinity. This forge was beautifully restored with considerable effort by my good friend Chris O’Dea. I would rise early every morning and walk the streets of this ancient fishing port. The light would change and the morning mist would lift, revealing interesting compositions of the unique little houses and churches. Down by the shore I would find the boats and fishing stages reflected in the harbour. This trip had a marked effect on each piece in this exhibition; I shifted my pallet and paint application to tell the tale. There is no doubt that there is an emotional tug to return again and again to our rocky island home."
