the exhibitions

Kathleen Munn and Lowrie Warrener: The Logic of Nature, the Romance of Space

9 January, 2010 - 7 March, 2010

Conversation with the Curator Cassandra Getty: Sunday, 21 February, 2010 at 12:00 p.m.

Curated by Cassandra Getty

The work of Kathleen Munn and Lowrie Warrener represents some of the earliest abstract art in Canada as it first emerged during the 1920s and 30s. Munn, a New York trained and Toronto-based artist, exhibited regularly from 1909 until the late 1930s. Sarnia born Warrener also worked in Toronto during the 1920s and 30s; they both contributed paintings to the official Group of Seven exhibition held in 1928 and were included in that year’s influential Yearbook of the Arts book compiled by renowned artist and writer Bertram Brooker.

This exhibition presents a unique opportunity to see the little-known works of two of Canada’s most innovative modernists. Their unique paintings, drawing and prints, which range from Cubist images of people to electrically hued and patterned landscapes, diverged radically from the mainstream art of the day.

Having achieved success Kathleen Munn and Lowrie Warrener nevertheless faded from the historical record. Both of their careers were cut short by the Depression, war, and lack of support.

Painting, drawing and prints by these two artists invite consideration in relation to each other as their work transcends tradition to envision a new future, be it the more introverted, spiritual world view of Munn or Warrener’s brash pantheism,

Organized and Circulated by The Art Gallery of Windsor