Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Atlantic Magic Realists and the "Mummy Bunny" School


Accessibility. The "Atlantic Magic Realists" (from the Maritimes-Yay!) all made their work accessible to the public instead of simply to a minority. The images were realistic and of ordinary subjects but the overall effect goes beyond visual cliché.

It suits our area well. Have you noticed art and music are the first programs to get cut in school? Did you even have music and art in school? Makes it hard for most to develop an interest. Sometimes the art itself can be another barrier. The realists make it easy.

In the book Mary Pratt by Sandra Gwyn, Pratt (one of the magic realists) got a kick out of doing her own thing and ignoring the intellectual fashion at the time. I loved the part where as a student she challenged Alan Jarvis, director of the National Gallery- big time art elite in the fifties.' "He told us how wonderful ugly art was, " she recalls. "I jumped up and said, "I haven't led an ugly life. Do I have to go out and find one in order to paint?" Jarvis retorted, as Mary remembers it, "Oh well, if you want to join the Mummy-Bunny School." '

Hee, hee. Still, ouch. Did she let that change her into meekly following the fashion? No. In the end fashion wasn't at all important. She ended up doing something new because she enjoyed making her art accessible. Pratt rebelled, stuck to her vision, and became part of one of the few famous Canadian art movements. No matter what your style, doesn't that attitude inspire?

Here's one of my favorites of hers- "Red Currant Jelly." What's with the photo above? What with the "Mummy Bunny" comment, how could I resist? ;)


11 comments:

Elizabeth said...

Yes, this little dog is a delight.
Good to have discovered your blog!
You have good taste in books as well as animals

Shayla said...

Thanks, Elizabeth. She's my little sweetie.

bindu said...

Your little dog is so cute and cuddly!

Jeane Myers said...

definitely we must stick to our guns so to speak! we can certainly be influenced by others, but staying true to who we are is the key! sweet puppy!

Megan Coyle said...

Your dog is adorable!

Unknown said...

She is too cute!

Shayla said...

Thanks guys! I'm a proud fur kid mummy and have to brag. She's not yappy. Isn't that great? My first was very yappy, to the point of embarassment.

Jeane, you put that so well. It falls flat when we create only to please others.

Gwen Buchanan said...

You know you are right, Shayla.. I remember when I was in grade nine, we had music by a most exciting inspiring little spritely man.. it was a joy to go to his class... in mid term he was tragically killed in a car accident.. the class was cancelled... there was no more music the rest of my time in school... and we never had Art ever...

How can the general public ever know about art if it is not accessible... this is so important!!!

Luscious jelly!

Love the bunny you are the mummy of...

ArtPropelled said...

Such a dear little Couch Bunny, feeling the cold.

Fifi Flowers said...

ADORABLE photo... What a CUTIE!

Shayla said...

So sorry to hear that Gwen. What a tragedy. I would would find it interesting to know how you decided to become an artist. Did you always know?

Hee,hee. Robyn. You would notice that great big wooly blanket and her enormous coat. Yes! We've got more cold weather to go. Spring can hit around April, doesn't always though. Hopefully this year won't bring snow storms in May.

Thanks, Fifi!