Beyond the Crease: Ken Danby

Ken Danby (Canadian 1940-2007), Lacing Up, 1973. Egg tempera on wood, 55.9 x 81.3 cm, Collection of The Family of John F. Bassett. Photo: Robert McNair

On view at the Art Gallery of Sudbury from January 18 through April 1, the exhibition Beyond the Crease: Ken Danby spans four decades of the artist’s remarkable career as an accomplished realist painter, watercolourist, printmaker, and commercial artist who lent visual form to familiar Canadian icons and ideals. Organized and circulated by the Art Gallery of Hamilton, the exhibition showcases four decades of Danby’s artistic practice. Beyond the Crease brings together 38 significant works to mark the tenth anniversary of this important artist’s death and includes the iconic Lacing Up, which depicts a hockey goalie putting on his skates in preparation for a game; A Study for Tim Horton, a life-like portrait of the hockey player on the ice; and a portrait of former competitive swimmer and two-time Olympic gold medallist and world recorder holder Alex Baumann, who hails from Sudbury. The exhibition officially opens on Thursday, January 18 at 5 p.m. with an opening reception. All are welcome. “We are deeply honoured, on the tenth anniversary of his death, to present and consider a remarkable Canadian artist who was deeply inspired by the landscape,” said Art Gallery of Hamilton President and CEO Shelley Falconer. “Ken Danby also painted Canada during a cultural moment when the country felt an emerging confidence and new pride in its identity, and thus his work continues to resonate.” Best known for creating highly realistic paintings that study everyday life, Danby often included his children, spouse, neighbours, and friends in his work. The public commissions, by contrast, reflect his passion for particular political figures, competitive sports, and athletes.Works for this exhibition were borrowed from private and public collections, including Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame, the Confederation Centre Art Gallery, the Ken Danby Estate, le Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal, the Rennie Collection, Tim Horton Children’s Foundation, and the Vancouver Art Gallery. In addition to the works on display, the exhibition includes a video project about the artist produced by his eldest son, filmmaker Sean Danby. A full-colour 160­page catalogue accompanies the exhibition and includes excerpts from an unpublished memoir. The exhibition was financially assisted by the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund of the Government of Ontario through the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport, administered by the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund Corporation. Funding support from the Government of Canada is gratefully acknowledged. Special thanks to community sponsors KPMG and Desjardins.