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Sarnia, ON – The Judith & Norman Alix Art Gallery is pleased to announce the opening of a new exhibition on October 6 at 6:00 p.m., during First Friday.
The exhibition A Family Palette brings together, for the first time, the work of artists Frances-Anne Johnston, Franz Johnston, and Franklin Arbuckle – three members of the same family. The exhibition tells the story of a talented artistic family and sheds light on the ways Frances-Anne Johnston and her relatives have contributed to the development of Canadian art.
A feminist recovery project, A Family Palette focuses on Frances-Anne, while considering the distinct practices of all three artists and how they intersect. As a woman working within a patriarchal society, Frances-Anne’s artistic career has not been as well documented as those of her father Franz or her husband Franklin. She worked from home and found inspiration in fabrics, flowers, housewares, furniture, and windows, themes that are beautifully rendered in the design of the exhibition.
Franklin Arbuckle helped shape the post–Second World War Canadian consciousness with his commissions for Maclean’s magazine. Examples of his advertisement, magazine, poster, and book illustrations bring importance to this overlooked art practice.
Franz Johnston is nationally known as one of the founding members of the Group of Seven. The exhibition draws out lesser-known aspects of his life and work, including his establishment of a summer art school on Georgian Bay and painted interior murals of cabins.
A Family Palette is a touring exhibition originating from the Ottawa Art Gallery, curated by Rebecca Basciano. It will be on exhibition at the Judith & Norman Alix Art Gallery from October 6, 2023 until March 16, 2024.
The accompanying bilingual publication, Frances-Anne Johnston: Art and Life | Art et vie, is the first monograph on artist Frances-Anne Johnston and situates her career within 20th century Canadian art history and feminist context. It features beautiful colour illustrations and critical essays. This publication will be available for purchase when the show opens.
The public is invited to the opening of A Family Palette at the Judith & Norman Alix Art Gallery on October 6 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.. A special Members Reception will take place the same evening from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Learn more by visiting jnaag.ca.
The Judith & Norman Alix Art Gallery is open Wednesdays from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Thursdays from 11 a.m. – 8:30 p.m., and Friday and Saturdays from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
This project has been made possible in part by the Government of Canada.
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Please contact:
Sonya Blazek
Curator, Judith & Norman Alix Art Gallery
County of Lambton
519-336-8127 ext. 3220
Email Sonya Blazek
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