Toronto's AGO gets archive of abstract artist Iskowitz

The Toronto-based Art Gallery of Ontario has obtained a significant archive from artist Gershon Iskowitz, a Polish-born Canadian known for his distinctive abstract style.

The AGO also has forged a formal relationship with the Gershon Iskowitz Foundation and will participate in the awarding of the annual prize given in his name.

Iskowitz "was one of the leading Canadian artists of his generation and much admired by his peers," said AGO director Matthew Teitelbaum in an interview with CBC Arts Online.

"At a time when abstract painting and use of colour is coming back, his work is seen to be increasingly significant."

The $25,000 prize, created by Iskowitz himself in 1985, is given to Canadian artists in mid-career and will be awarded in the spring.

Under the new arrangement, an AGO curator will sit on the prize jury and the winning artist will have an exhibition at the AGO.

"Gershon recognized the importance of grants in the evolution of artists," says Iskowitz foundation chair Jeanette Hlinka.

"By partnering with the AGO, we elevate the prize's stature and strengthen the commitment of both organizations to Canadian art and artists."

Iskowitz, a survivor of the Auschwitz and Buchenwald death camps, came to Canada in 1949 and initially drew and painted painful wartime images.

In the 1950s he began painting Canadian landscapes, mainly of the country north of Toronto. A grant in 1967 enabled him tosee a wider range of landscapes and helped inspire his colourful abstract style.

He represented Canada at the 1972 Venice Bienale and a major retrospective of his work was held in 1982 at the AGO. The AGO holds 20 of his paintings and 40 works on paper.

The addition of Iskowitz's archive makesthe Toronto gallerya major centre for study of the artist, who died in 1988.

The archive includes letters, sketchbooks, related artwork and business correspondence by the artist, who had a studio on Spadina Avenue in Toronto.

"The AGO is generally in the business of collecting archives as they form an important record of an artist's life and history and must be preserved," Teitelbaum said.

The gallery may also seek out letters Iskowitz wrote to others that have not come into this collection.

Among the past winners of the Iskowitz Foundation prize are Janet Cardiff, George Burns Miller, Stan Douglas, Max Dean, Vera Frenkel, Rodney Graham and John Massey.