Canadian Fine Art

November 1318, 2021
Auction begins to close at 7:00 pm ET

Online Auction
LOT 67

Lot 67

WILLIAM PATERSON EWEN, R.C.A.

WILLIAM PATERSON EWEN, R.C.A.
Lot 67 Details
WILLIAM PATERSON EWEN, R.C.A.

LIFE STREAM, 1969

acrylic on canvas
signed, titled and dated on the reverse
60 ins x 50 ins; 152.4 cms x 127 cms

Estimate $30,000-$40,000

Realised: $24,000
Price Includes Buyer's Premium ?

Lot Report

Additional Images
WILLIAM PATERSON EWEN, R.C.A.
  • WILLIAM PATERSON EWEN, R.C.A.
  • WILLIAM PATERSON EWEN, R.C.A.
Provenance:

Estate of Dr. Barbara Wand, Ontario

Note:

Ewen exhibited in four group exhibitions and had his first solo at Carmen Lamanna Gallery, Toronto, in 1969. The price inscribed on the verso, suggests that it was included in one or more of these exhibitions. It is possible that "Life Stream" was included in Paterson Ewen Retrospective, London Art Gallery, November 5-19, 1976; checklist no.29 and catalogued as from the collection of the artist.

One of the earliest examples of a vigorous abstracted painting by Paterson Ewen is “Still Life”, 1950 (collection Musée des beaux-arts de Montréal, MMFA). It offers an apt comparison to Paul-Émile Borduas’ work, as Ewen was acquainted with him. Ewen’s first pure abstract was done in late 1954.[1] Such work was first exhibited at Espace 55, Montreal in February 1955.[2] It is generally written that the first “Life Stream” titled work was done in 1958 and inspired by a Haida canoe motif in the Royal Ontario Museum.[3] There are several others as well as a related 1959 work titled “Courant de Vie” (“Current of Life”) in the collection of the MMFA.

The minimal composition “Life Stream” works (not all are so-titled) continued after Ewen moved to London, Ontario in 1968; the last in 1971. They were first shown at the Dunkelman Gallery, Toronto in 1967. While the compositions varied, they were in tune with the hard-edge and minimal painting that was in the air internationally but distinct from artists such as Guido Molinari and Yves Gaucher. Ewen’s objective was not a systemic-geometric composition; he saw his minimal lines as “the trace of something moving through space,”[4] or time. A 1968 painting with a purple ground is titled “Life Stream with Time Intervals B”.[5] Several of the works from 1968 to 1971 have a comparable single curved line—either solid or dotted—on a coloured or white ground (four of these untitled works from 1969, are in the collection of the Art Gallery of Ontario). To date only three other curved line “Life Stream” works with a colour ground are known. The bold orange ground of “Life Stream” is unique, although Ewen used it in other geometric paintings in the 1960s. Its dotted line, done with masking tape, is significant as it led to a breakthrough with his 1970 painting “Traces Through Space” (AGO); by dipping a piece of felt in paint and making a dotted line, “I realized I was into phenomenon,”[6] and led to his first “phenomenon” painting, “Rain Triptych” 1970 (AGO); the dotted lines became rain.

Rather than a period or a transition, the life stream motif remained with Ewen and re-appeared in late career works such as the 1996 watercolour “Traces of a Heavenly Body Out of Order” (Museum London), and the mixed media work “Flying Rope”, 2000 (AGO).

Ihor Holubizky is a cultural essayist and art historian. He received his PhD in art history from the University of Queensland. We thank him for contributing this essay.

[1] Paterson Ewen: The Montreal Years (Mendel Art Gallery, 1987) p.19, then private collection.
[2] Paterson Ewen (Art Gallery of Ontario/Douglas & McIntyre, 1996) p.99
[3] There is a relatable painting with a horizontal central band dated 1957 and titled Livestream. Lot 158, Sotheby’s/Ritchie’s, Toronto, 26 May 2008
[4] Mendel, p.33
[5] Included in the 1976 retrospective at the London Art Gallery.
[6] Paterson Ewen, AGO p.119.

CONDITION DETAILS

Very good condition. Please contact the specialist for further condition information.


All lots from this auction will be made available for pre-auction, in-person inspection and preview. This condition report has been prepared by Waddington’s as a courtesy and has been provided for guidance only. Each lot is offered in the condition it is in at the time of sale. Any reference to condition in the report for the lot does not amount to a full description of condition. The images of the lot form part of the condition report for the lot provided by Waddington’s. Please note, certain images of the lot provided online may not accurately reflect the actual condition of the lot and may represent colours and shades which are different to the lot’s actual colour and shades, depending on your screen settings. Although Waddington’s takes great care in executing condition reports, Waddington’s specialists are not professional conservators or restorers and the report set forth is only a statement of opinion. For that reason this report is provided as a courtesy and is not an alternative to taking your own professional advice. Prospective buyers should bear in mind that this report will not disclose any imperfections which may only be revealed during the course of subsequent restoration. The Buyer agrees that Waddington’s will not be held responsible for any errors or omissions contained within the report. Buyers are reminded that Waddington’s warranties with respect to any property are limited as set forth in the Conditions of Sale and do not extend to condition.

LOT 67
×

About Condition Ratings

  • 5 Stars: Excellent - No discernable damage, flaws or imperfections
  • 4 Stars: Very Good - Minor flaws or imperfections visible only under close inspection using specialised instruments or black light
  • 3 Stars: Good - Minor flaws visible upon inspection under standard lighting
  • 2 Stars: Fair - Exhibits flaws or damage that may draw the eye under standard lighting
  • 1 Star: Poor - Flaws or damage immediately apparent under standard lighting (examples: missing components, rips, broken glass, damaged surfaces, etc.)

Note: Condition ratings and condition details are the subjective opinions of our specialists and should be used as a guide only. Waddington’s uses due care when preparing condition details, however, our staff are not professional restorers or conservators. Condition details and reports are not warranties and each lot is sold “as is” in accordance with the buyer’s terms and conditions of sale. In all cases the prospective purchaser is responsible for inspecting the property themselves prior to placing a bid.