Robert Markle (1936-1990)

Robert Markle was born in Hamilton, Ontario in 1936. His origin was Ontario Mohawk, but he never wanted to be known as a native artist.

In 1954, he studied at the Ontario College of Art where his originality was seen from the start. A furious rant, that is still unknown to how it began, would expel Robert from the school. Fortunately while attending OCA he was able to meet Marlene, his future wife and muse, and his inspiration for the female form would grow.

He began exhibiting in many group shows and would later get an important break in his one-man show at the Isaacs Gallery in 1963. The controversial exhibition ‘Eros 65’ at the Dorothy Cameron Gallery would boost Robert’s reputation as an artist. After being raided for ‘obscene’ pieces, it would spark the debate over censorship in Canada.

After leaving a strong impression on the Toronto arts scene, he moved to Holstein where he would continue his work. Robert focused on the female nude which was transformed over the years. Whether studying a single pose or capturing the allure of the dancer’s movement, Markle was unafraid to try something new.

He was also a writer, teacher, and jazz musician. He played the saxophone in the Artists’ Jazz Band with fellow artists Graham Coughtry, Gordon Rayner, Nabuo Kubota and Michael Snow. Markle wrote many articles for magazines and newspapers such as Maclean’s, Toronto Life, The Star and Globe and Mail. Robert was also a teacher from 1966 to 1977. He taught at the New School of Art, the Ontario College of Art and the University of Guelph. Robert was fond of teaching and enjoyed the conversations and engagement with the students.

After a serious motorcycle crash in 1970, Robert was left with the difficult process of restoring the use of his hands. Using the only tool that he could grasp, a big shaving brush became his outlet to paint again. These works that he created are extremely expressionistic and would begin the investigation of curves, shadows and movements of the female figure.

He would continue to push the boundaries by accentuating the deep contrast and build the relationships between his models and muse. Markle also used sculptures to showcase the diversity of his techniques. Whether through the whirligigs or the large installation pieces and murals, Markle was able to explore the range of his Mohawk background, the landscape and female figure into one.

Robert Markle’s life would be cut short after an accident in July, 1990. His last series consisted of monoprints that showed some early techniques of layering, but are also less densely filled. This last series shows how Robert was still investigating his subjects while placing himself within the imagery. Even until his last day, Markle continued to pursue every possible angle and depict what he was truly passionate about.

Today his work can be found in public art galleries, private collections, and selected commercial galleries. At Gallery de Boer – Fine Art & Jazz, we are proud to display a wide range of his work that best represents his prolific career. The show “Blazing Figures” leads you into a journey of Robert Markle’s life. Whether you are familiar with his work, or just learning about him, this show will provide a glimpse into his artistic abilities.

We will be highlighting Markle’s career on our website each week with images and information regarding each time period.

Stay tuned for the start of Markle’s career; the 1960’s. Here you will see his approach of positive and negative space, the passion for the contours of the body, and the imagery that would cause the uproar of controversy over his work.

Blazing Figures – Robert Markle exhibit coming to Gallery de Boer

Gallery de Boer – Fine Art & Jazz is very pleased to announce the upcoming exhibition by Robert Markle featuring four decades of his work. This is a project that has been in the works for quite some time, and now we are thrilled to share with everyone the exciting show that will be on display starting in the month of July.

Robert’s work primarily focused on the female nude; transforming the content throughout his many series. Through abstraction, colour exploration, and how he perceived the body through his eyes, Markle was dedicated to capturing the allure of women and define the dynamics of form. He was a teacher, writer, jazz musician and artist whose work can be found in many private and corporate collections around the world.

The exhibition “Blazing Figures” at Gallery de Boer is a retrospective of Robert Markle’s artistic career. Take the journey into deep contrast, bold colours, shapes and movement of the female figure in which he expressed through his ‘vigorous vision’. This is an opportunity to see a glimpse of the creative genius Robert Markle conveyed. The body of work seen in this exhibition highlights the eroticized aesthetic that best exemplifies his passion and intriguing personality.

A formal opening reception will take place in Julyalong with a book launch of J.A Wainwright’s biography titled Blazing Figures: A Life of Robert Markle.

Stay tuned for more information about Robert Markle’s work, the controversy over his images, and perspectives on how his work can be perceived by different generations. This is a rare opportunity to see a unique representation of an artist who contributed so greatly to Canadian art.

Chris Brandon: Vivid Perspective

Chris Brandon is a new represented artist at Gallery de Boer. Her work represents a diverse range of landscapes captured by her vivid perspective. Whether through the movement of the water, direct representation of her creative imagination or expanding the eye into a new universe, Chris is able to create work that speaks to everyone.

UnCOMMON GROuND is showcasing Chris Brandon’s unique and intricate watercolours. To learn more about Chris Brandon, check out her full profile.

Audrey Holrod: devotion to art

Audrey Holrod created vibrant images for over 50 years. With her unique technique of manipulating photographs, her images and subject matter ranged from traditional to abstract.

Audrey resided in Hanover, Ontario and was well known for teaching and her career as an artist. She concentrated on her artwork after retirement and created numerous pieces. She had 34 solo shows and many group exhibitions along with juried exhibitions where she accumulated many awards.

UnCOMMON GROuND highlights Holrod’s diverse style of subject matter and mediums she experimented with. Her unique abstract and minimalist images reflect her devotion to her passion; art.

John Joy: colour, shadow and mood

The technique of plein-air allows the artist to truly reflect on the colour, shadows and mood of the landscape at that moment. John Joy uses plein-air for all his work, and the outcome is simply beautiful. The sense of visual truth can be seen in UnCOMMON GROuND where his row of houses, or cramped dwellings, highlight the various shapes, time of day, and John’s fascination with Toronto’s city area.

There are also his unique landscapes that represent the various terrains Ontario has to offer. Each piece has a luminosity that can only be represented by being within the landscape. John’s work can be seen in various collections across Canada, and at Gallery de Boer –Fine Art & Jazz.

Tiffany Horrocks: a new perspective on clay

Tiffany first started to create clay works with an apprenticeship, and soon moved into further exploration of the medium. At first, the Raku process was inspiring and full of challenges, but soon she was creating clay pieces reminiscent to paintings.

Her pieces in UNcOMMON GROuND are textural clay works on board with high gloss and vibrant colours. Ranging from a variety of sizes and subject matter, each piece holds a captivating presence and will hold a new perspective on what clay can achieve.

Siggy Blum: Beautiful Grey-Bruce Landscapes

While Siggy Blum studied commercial art, during his years in advertising he began to create abstract landscapes inspired by impressions of his surroundings. Later he felt challenged to make more realistic work and began creating his beautiful landscapes.

Grey and Bruce Counties have been an inspiration for much of Siggy’s work. He has recently incorporated figures into the landscape, some portraits and some commissioned animal portraits.

UnCOMMON GROuND showcases Siggy’s wide range of works from his landscapes and floral still lives. The photos we have online don’t do Siggy’s work justice. You really need to see them in person to get the full effect of his craftsmanship.

Want to learn more about Siggy and his art? Check out his full biography.

John Visser: ever-changing light and shadow

Painting has always been a passion for John Visser. After a successful career as an illustrator, John devoted himself to creating beautiful landscape paintings.

His inspiration comes from the ever-changing light and shadow, to evoke the sense of serenity and beauty that nature instills in him. His vivid brushstrokes and organic palette are reminiscent of the Group of Seven.

UnCOMMON GROuND highlights the diverse landscapes John Visser creates while showcasing his devotion to representing the constant change of the textures, shapes and colours of each season. View more of John’s paintings online.

Roman Zuzuk: study of the unimagined & the impossible

It is impossible to look at a Roman Zuzuk painting without smiling. His unique works focus on imagination, simple surrealist concepts, and humor in his figurative pieces.

The objects often found in Roman’s works are part of a personal iconography, symbols of his life experiences. With his visceral reaction to real-life objects and calculated representation of space, the artist makes the familiar seem unexpected and new. His work is charged with emotion and executed with intellectual determination.

Roman uses a variety of mediums such as oil, watercolour and encaustic – pigments mixed with hot wax.

The works in UnCOMMON GROuND showcase Zuzuk’s range of subject matter and his variety of sizes and techniques. Each painting highlights his continuous study of the unimagined and the impossible.

Click to view more of Roman Zuzuk’s paintings and his full profile.

Bruce Steinhoff – recreating Canadian landscape

Originally from Simcoe, Ontario, Bruce Steinhoff is primarily a self-taught artist and has portrayed the rugged Canadian terrain for many years. In his many travels across Canada, Bruce often takes photographs to work from once he returns home.

His unique brushwork is sharp, bold and creates a sense of movement within each piece. The subtle palette with hints of bright hues showcases the diverse landscapes Canada has to offer. His vivid depictions are reminiscent of the Group of Seven.

His work can be seen in many collections and at Gallery de Boer – Fine Art & Jazz.

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