The Evolution of an Abstract Expressionist
John Meredith was a Canadian abstract expressionist painter born in Fergus, Ontario. After moving to Brampton, Ontario, he studied at the Ontario College of Art from 1950 to 1953 under Jock Macdonald. His early professional years included working as a cartoonist for the Brampton Conservator. By 1958, he held his first solo show at Toronto's Gallery of Contemporary Art, presenting canvases characterized by dark colors, sometimes interspersed with red and purple, alongside loosely figurative images of vertical stripes and forms.
His technique underwent significant transformations over the decades. He often utilized small colored ink drawings divided into squares as templates for his large canvases. In 1966, he began a method he considered his own invention: using details from still-wet, smudged drawings. His palette expanded to include pinks, purples, and greens, and he eventually utilized the palette knife to apply thick layers of pigment to the canvas.
Artistic Legacy and Recognition
Meredith's career was marked by numerous exhibitions in Toronto and abroad, including shows at the Isaacs Gallery and the Blue Barn Gallery. One of his major works is the triptych Seeker, which is held in the collection of the Art Gallery of Ontario. This piece was developed from a study of colored inks on paper and was painted with his parents in mind. In 1986, the Peel Art Gallery, Museum and Archives in Brampton held a 30-year survey of his work.
His contributions to Canadian art were recognized with the 1971 Victor Martyn Lynch-Staunton Award from the Canada Council. His works are represented in several notable public collections, including:
- Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto
- National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa
- Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
- Vancouver Art Gallery
- Museum London, London, Ontario
- Art Windsor-Essex
- The Canada Council Collection
- MacKenzie Art Gallery, Regina
- The Robert McLaughlin Gallery, Oshawa
- Agnes Etherington Art Centre, Kingston
Questions & Answers
Can I explore John Meredith's works by keyword?
The By Keywords page of John Meredith groups the artist's artworks by their keywords.
Is there a chronological account of John Meredith?
The Chronicle of John Meredith is a scroll-driven timeline that presents the artist's works in chronological order, grouped into career-period chapters.
Where are John Meredith's artworks grouped by art movement?
John Meredith's works can be browsed by movement on the artist's All Movements page.
How do I find works by John Meredith in a specific palette?
The By Palettes page groups John Meredith's artworks by their color palettes.
