Maxwell Bennett Bates
Maxwell Bennett Bates (1906-1980) was a pioneering Canadian expressionist painter born in Calgary, Alberta. Rejecting traditional art training, he moved to England in 1930, becoming involved in the London art scene and exhibiting with prominent artists like Picasso and Matisse. Bates served in the British Territorial Army during WWII, spending five years as a prisoner of war, which deeply influenced his art.
Returning to Calgary in 1946, he balanced work as an architect and artist, notably designing St. Mary’s Cathedral. After a stroke in 1961, he moved to Victoria, B.C., where he continued to create and exhibit his socially conscious art. Known for bold colors and distorted forms, Bates received many accolades, including the Order of Canada in 1980. His work is featured in major collections, and he is considered a key figure in Canadian modern art.





Comments
Post a Comment