Alex Colville exhibit at AGO shows work of iconic artist

There is nothing ‘luke warm’ about the work of Alex Colville. The iconic paintings of the Canadian artist provoke strong reactions, both positive,and negative

A new exhibit of his work is about to open at the Art Gallery of Ontario, bringing together more than 100 works that span a 70 year career.

Displayed is the development of a young art student from 1940 painting in impressionistic style, growing into a precise, mathematical, almost graphic designer.

His works are often described as tension-filled or dangerous but Colville didn’t see it that way.

He once described his work as an attempt to answer the question: “What is life like?”

His art had an enormous influence on popular culture, especially film where everyone from Stanley Kubrik, to the Coen Brothers used his works, or copied his style.

Through 70 years of work there is and enduring love story. The life of Colville, and his beloved wife Rhonda, his model, muse and the subject of his last painting: ‘Woman with clock’.

The exhibition runs from August 23rd to January 2015  after which it moves to the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa.