Fairmont Pacific Rim has announced the latest solo exhibition at The Pacific Gallery, a curated display of artworks by an iconic figure in Canadian painting, Jack Shadbolt (1909 – 1998) in partnership with Equinox Gallery. Known as one of Canada’s most innovative modernists, Shadbolt’s vibrant, abstract portrayals of the country’s natural beauty were inspired by the landscape of the West Coast.
On display from March 15 to May 15, 2024 on the hotel’s mezzanine lobby level, the striking exhibit encapsulates Shadbolt’s groundbreaking modernist style, celebrating the dynamic and transformative essence of the Pacific Northwest. The profound works in this exhibition highlight the artist’s ongoing search for form through the natural world.
At the heart of the showcase is “Morning Deck #2”, a panoramic seven-panel masterpiece that provides intimate views from the artist’s home and studio on Hornby Island, British Columbia. This piece exemplifies Shadbolt’s ambitious approach, using multiple panels to expand the scope of his exploration. In seeking meaning through the elements of nature around him, Shadbolt expressed, “Inspiration for the artist is probably less in dreaming than in visualizing extensions from tangible possibilities.”
In 1930, Shadbolt met Emily Carr whose work—together with the Surrealists and early Abstract Expressionists—was extremely influential in his artistic development. In the late 1930’s, Shadbolt taught at the Vancouver School of Art, enhancing his education in New York, London, and Paris. He represented Canada at the 1956 Venice Biennale and, after serving as an unofficial war artist in WW2, returned to lead the department, significantly influencing young artists. His extensive work throughout his career played a pivotal role in establishing a distinctive regional style focused on nature-inspired abstraction.
