Over the last number of months, the intrepid library volunteers have been “weeding” this garden of a library to bring it into better alignment with the mandate and direction of the Penticton Art Gallery. Because the library has been solely developed on donations, there was an overabundance of European and classic art and art forms. We have kept a “smattering” of international art, focusing on major eras and artists, so that Penticton Art Gallery members and patrons can explore beyond our borders.

In our book by book evaluation, it has become abundantly clear that we are lacking materials on Canadian art and artists—historical, contemporary, as well as indigenous. If you have books and/or exhibition catalogues that are Canadian (in the broadest sense of the term), and are willing to donate those, the Art Gallery and its Library would be most appreciative. Depending on the level of the donation, the Art Gallery will issue you a charitable tax receipt.

Some examples:

Unheralded Artists of BC:

– We have vols. 1-5 and 8; but are missing vols. 6-7 and 9!

An Indigenous Present:

- Jeffrey Gibson, ed., publ. 2023. This book gives the perspectives of more than 60 contemporary indigenous artists.

A Dictionary of Canadian Artists:

– This is an older work, but considered essential. We have vols. 1-6, but are missing vols. 7 (Rakos-Sadowski, publ. 1996) and 8 (Safadi-Smith, publ. 2006). This work ended after no. 8, but is carried on with an online version, Artists in Canada (National Gallery of Canada Library)

And there are so many more...

A side benefit of looking at each and every book in the PAG Library, is discovering the many fascinating items in the collection—from the “how-to’s”, to art history, to beautiful “coffee-table” books of artists’ works, to art and artist critiques, etc. So, to give you a taste, we have picked some “books of the month” that interested us, and maybe you too.

Hazel recommends:

The Artist Herself: Self-Portraits by Canadian Historical Women Artists

(Call no. 709.71 Ar799)

This is a catalogue of an exhibition held in 2015 in London and Hamilton, Ontario.  It is a collection of works that reveal how women artists defined themselves in Canada from the late 18th century to the early 1960’s.  As such, “self-portrait” takes on a much broader perspective than a strict physical representation of the artist.  In fascinating essays, 36 individual artists and their works, lives, and times are highlighted.  The artists range from the relatively unknown (e.g. the last known Beothuk woman, E. Pauline Johnson, Molly Lamb Bobak) to more familiar names (e.g. Pitseolak Ashoona, Emily Carr, Daphne Odjig, Maud Lewis), spanning the country.  The text is in English and French, with extensive colored illustrations.  Wish I could have seen the exhibit!

Hal recommends:

The Tranquility and the Turbulence; the life and work of Walter J. Phillips

(Call no. 759.11 P547B6)

This large “coffee table” book, published in 1981, was based on a 1970 tour (sponsored by the Hudson’s Bay Company) of 425 of Phillips’ artwork. It is lavishly illustrated with full-page reproductions of many of his prints, including descriptions of how and why he produced them.  I picked this book for a couple of reasons:  First, I met Walter and his wife Gladys as a young boy when he moved to Banff in 1950 and saw many of his works in their new home.  I was particularly drawn to his “mountain” and “water” watercolours, and later, his work in “woodcarving” prints; Second, while born in England in 1884, he moved to Canada in 1913 and spent a large part of his life in Winnipeg, Calgary, and Banff.  During this time, he became a leader in the “woodblock” print technique and was a major influence in the development of Canadian art through his students in Winnipeg and at the Banff School of Fine Arts.

Nancy recommends:

Painting and Understanding Abstract Art by Leonard Brooks

(Call no. 751.4 b791)

Published in 1964 was a meaningful read in which I gained a lot of insight into the complexity of contemporary art and I believe will greatly improve my gallery experiences.

The book is a combination of instruction techniques, history of the schools of abstract painting from its classic roots, and even has a year’s organized study plan. Abstract art often invokes the questions why and how and this book is filled with pictures and diagrams to help answer those questions. The author explains the dynamics of abstract art as it started and developed over time up until 1964 providing examples of surrealism, expressionism and cubism. This book was written so that both the layman and practising artist will deepen their understanding and appreciation of abstract art.

The author was born in England but came to Canada at a young age and he was educated here as well as receiving his early art training. He was made official war artist for the Royal Canadian Navy in World War II and after the war he moved to Miguel de Allende, Mexico. His art is found in many galleries and private collections throughout North America.