Emily Carr: Life & Work

Emily Carr (1871–1945) is one of Canada’s most beloved artists. An independent woman and a Westerner who gained prominence at a time when female painters were not recognized internationally, her life and work reflect a profound commitment to the land that she knew and loved.

 

Carr’s masterful creations reveal a fascination with spiritual questions inspired by the Canadian sea, land, and people. Although more than half a century has passed since her death, any artist who engages with the West Coast must contend with her legacy. Her paintings continue to inspire generations across the country today. Along with the Group of Seven, Carr became a leading figure in Canadian modern art in the early twentieth century. Emily Carr: Life & Work traces her trajectory from early years in Victoria, where she struggled to receive acceptance, to her status as one of Canada’s most influential painters. With insight and intelligence, author Lisa Baldissera discusses how although during Carr’s life she endured hardship, personal isolation, and rejection, she persevered to create an iconic vision for the nation.

 

This book explores how Carr travelled extensively, learning from European, American, and Indigenous forms and receiving formal training at art academies as well as from private tutors. In doing so, she continued to grow in creative power as a result of her own intense observation and of her vigorous experimentation with a variety of methods and media, reflecting the fusion of wide-ranging influences. Baldissera reveals why Carr’s work remains relevant in the twenty-first century and how it continues to challenge and inspire.

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