After escaping Nazi Europe, Oscar Cahén (1916–1956) made his name both as Canada’s foremost magazine illustrator and as one of its most renowned abstract painters. Before his tragic death at age 40, Cahén had executed countless covers for Maclean’s magazine and other publications while simultaneously founding the avant-garde collective Painters Eleven. Although he worked in Canada for only fourteen years and exhibited his paintings for a scant eight, his role in the development of both illustration and abstract painting in Canada was pivotal. He gave fellow artists and designers confidence to experiment and to stand up to conservative backlash, setting an inspirational example with his engaging art. For more on Oscar Cahén read Jaleen Grove’s Oscar Cahén: Life & Work.
To view the full Online Exhibition curated by Jaleen Grove visit the ACI Gallery here.
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Oscar Cahén, Multi-part Mural, Staff Lounge and Cafeteria of the Imperial Oil Executive Office Building, Toronto, 1956, installation view of central panel from period photograph (cropped on the right) Acrylic on canvas, approximately 294.6 x 670.6 cm, The Robert McLaughlin Gallery, Oshawa
