Helen McNicoll: A Canadian Impressionist
September 27 - November 5, 2000

The Leonard & Bina Ellen Art Gallery of Concordia University is pleased to present the exhibition Helen McNicoll: A Canadian Impressionist from September 27 - November 5, 2000. Helen McNicoll (1879 - 1915) was one of the most accomplished and collected artists of her time. The exhibition celebrates her short but prolific career as well as her contribution to art in Canada. Bringing together more than fifty-four works borrowed from family heirs, private lenders and institutions in Canada and the United States, this exhibition will provide many in this generation with the opportunity to experience McNicoll's paintings for the very first time.

Helen McNicoll's intimate, luminous paintings celebrate the worlds of women, children and nature, as well as the rituals of everyday life. Five years after her first public acknowledgement as a painter in 1908, she was elected to the Royal Society of British Artists. In 1914, she became an associate of the Royal Canadian Academy and won the Women's Art Society Prize. In the wake of her sudden death in 1915 at the age of thirty-six, McNicoll was acknowledged as a professional of high standing within the Canadian art world of the day.

The multi-faceted nature of this exhibition will afford opportunities for critical engagement within a broad range of themes related to Canadian and European Art History as well as Women's Studies. Its multi-dimensionality makes it both timely and relevant to diverse audiences and the Ellen Art Gallery is pleased to offer a variety of educational programmes in conjunction with the show that focus on the convergence of art historical and feminist issues within the context of early twentieth century Canadian art.

The exhibition is accompanied by a fully illustrated catalogue with an introductory essay by the curator, Natalie Luckyj, as well as a complete translation of the publication and full bibliographic references.

The exhibition is organized and circulated by the Art Gallery of Ontario. It is generously supported by The Fraser Elliott Foundation. For further information about the exhibition or our educational programme please contact the gallery at (514) 848-4750 or by fax at (514) 848-4751