Rare Canadian masterworks on display in Calgary ahead of Toronto auction

Some of Canada's most iconic masterworks will soon hit the auction block, but first, the collection will stop in Calgary.

A rare opportunity for art lovers in Calgary to see museum-quality Canadian masterworks is underway this week, as Norberg Hall hosts a three-day exhibition of paintings by Lawren Harris, Emily Carr, Jean-Paul Riopelle and other celebrated artists.

The free public preview runs at Calgary’s Norberg Hall from Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily at Norberg Hall.

After the preview, the works head to auction in Toronto on Nov. 26.

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“It’s a collection of historical, post-war and contemporary Canadian artwork, many of which are museum quality and have never been offered before at auction,” said Rob Cowley, president of Cowley Abbott, Canada’s art auctioneers.

“Certainly, the last five years have been some of the strongest years we’ve ever witnessed at auction for Canadian art, and this season looks to be no different with the fantastic works that are available. We have several works in this particular sale that we expect to exceed one million dollars.”

Cowley says the exhibition includes “an incredible selection of artwork” by many of the “highly celebrated historical and post-war artists in Canada,” including a large Lawren Harris canvas expected to fetch between $400,000 and $600,000 at auction.

“We also have a 1950 canvas by Jean-Paul Riopelle being offered at between $1.2 and $1.5 million, and a suite of work by Emily Carr that spans her entire career.”

The sale brings together paintings entrusted to Cowley Abbott by collectors and corporate holdings from across Canada and beyond.

Canadian contemporary art will be showcased through notable works by Denyse Thomasos, Kim Dorland and Kent Monkman.

Cowley added that Calgary is an ideal stop for the national preview tour because of its wealth of collectors and incredible art collections.

He encourages Calgarians to experience the collection in person, even if then have no plans to participate in the auction.

“We welcome people to come in and take a look at these works of art,” he said. “It really is, in many ways, like a museum viewing.”

Crafting frames for the world’s masterpieces

Calgary’s Jarvis Hall, a world-renowned frame-maker and guilder, says the art on display is of the same calibre as works he’s framed for major artists around the world.

Over his 33-year career, Hall has been no stranger to creating frames for world renowned pieces.

“I’ve framed Juan Miró, Picasso, Andy Warhol and all of the Group of Seven painters from Canada, so through that process they end up finding me,” he said.

Hall told CTV News that he approaches framing as an extension of the artwork itself, and not necessarily for the environment where a painting will be hung on a wall.

The process involves incredible attention to detail.

“If we select the appropriate frame – given its style, its shape, its color – then it will go along with the artwork, even if you move 10 times in your life into different homes or different apartments or whatever it is.

“The key thing is to frame appropriate for the individual piece of art.”

Using traditional Renaissance techniques, Hall has carved and gilded thousands upon thousands of frames entirely by hand out of basswood.

He says it takes more than a few hours to get it right.

“An average frame, if I’m going to carve and gild, will take me 40 hours – and that’s about the lowest amount,” he said.

“I’m working on a frame now that has 220 hours, and it’ll be almost another 220 hours to go once I’m finished.”

‘A treat to come into every day’

Shannon Norberg, co-owner of Norberg Hall, says the gallery is thrilled to host the travelling exhibition, noting that the exhibition offers something different for the gallery, which normally represents contemporary artists.

“What makes this a little dynamic for us is that we represent emerging, mid-career and established artists, which means they’re living and working today,” she said. “So, this is a different body of work than we normally have in our space.”

She says Calgary’s art scene is really flourishing lately.

“We have a really rich community of artists and collectors,” Norberg said. “You don’t have to be a buyer; you have to be an appreciator — and there’s no better place than right now to do that.”

“For us here at the gallery this week, it’s a three-day blitz that we get to stand around and be near some exquisite works of art. It’s a treat for us to come into every single day.”

The Cowley Abbott exhibition runs from Oct. 30 to Nov. 1 at Norberg Hall, 333b 36 Ave. S.E.