Canadian Art: From Its Beginnings to 2000 [Anglais] [Relié]

Newlands (the National Gallery of Canada; Meet Edgar Degas) has assembled a much-needed current and comprehensive survey of Canadian art. The book provides an alphabetical arrangement of about 300 biographies that reflect the types of art present throughout the history of Canada, including the native, European, and American influences. Each entry includes a photograph of excellent quality and information on the artist's interests, background, and training. The alphabetical layout, although chosen to allow the reader to appreciate Canadian art free from "predictable associations," does not allow for enough subject access to periods and styles. Anyone unfamiliar with Canadian art will wish for more background information; the book would have benefited from essays on the history of Canadian art and a subject index. Considering the problems it would pose as an introductory text, Newlands's book can only be recommended for specialized art libraries as a source of images and vital information on Canadian artists. Eric Linderman, East Cleveland P.L.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Newlands, an art historian at the National Gallery of Canada, introduces readers to nearly 300 outstanding artists from the deep past to the present in this handsomely produced survey of Canadian visual art. With a few shining exceptions, such as Emily Carr and Lawren S. Harris, each artist is represented by one sterling example of his or her work, which is accompanied by a brief biographical profile. By organizing the volume alphabetically by artist name, Newlands transcends categories such as time, place, and medium. Inuit and other First Nation artists stand beside artists of European descent, just as figurative works balance abstractions, and the new clarifies the old. Each and every evocative and masterful work is redolent of Canada's magnificent landscape and sensitive to the tenuousness of human life. Each double-page spread both vibrates with contrasting styles and creates surprising and affective formal and emotional harmonies. These diverse paintings, photographs, and sculptures chart a vital and many-splendored visual heritage. Donna Seaman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

With "Canadian Art," the rich legacy and stylistic diversity of the Canadian visual arts have been stylishly encapsulated in print.

A magnificent testament to our artistic diversity, and a handsome coffee table book, sure to be enjoyed.

The gorgeous 352 page volume is the ultimate coffee-table book on Canadian Art.

This beautifully produced book offers all sorts of pathways for thought and further research.

[Newlands] is an insightful critic. Although her commentaries are short, they are informed and well-written.

In a country that can boast nearly 50,000 artists from its prehistoric beginnings to the present, it is a daunting challenge to compile a collection of some 300 artists that reflects the depth and breadth of Canada's art heritage. Yet in "Canadian Art: From Its Beginnings to 2000," author Anne Newlands does just that. Departing from the usual narrative of standard Canadian art histories, Newlands organizes the artists alphabetically, thus removing them from predictable associations and chronological relationships and freeing us to forge new connections. The result is an original and engaging approach to the subject, one that at once refreshes, surprises and teaches. When the paintings of such artists as Emily Carr, Lawren S. Harris, Cornelius Krieghoff and Horatio Walker are placed side by side with works by Kenojuak Ashevak, General Idea, Maud Lewis, Bill Reid and Jeff Wall, the diversity and wonder of the creative process come irresistibly to life.

While Canada's most beloved artists and their art are generously represented in "Canadian Art," Newlands also strives to guide us to less familiar media, whose formats and themes seek to redefine art itself even as they reflect the cultural realities of the time. Here, we find not only traditional oils and watercolors but also a rich collection of sculpture, photography and installation art. Each of Newlands' beautifully printed selections is accompanied by an engaging text that focuses on the featured art, provides a brief biographical sketch of the artist and offers us an informed departure point for our own critical appreciation.

Anne Newlands works as an art educator at the National Gallery of Canada.