Jean Albert McEwen

Art Brokerage: Jean Albert McEwen Canadian Artist: b. 1923-1999. Jean Albert McEwen was a painter, printmaker, muralist, poet and educator who was born, lived (except for 3 years in Paris) and died in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. His mediums were oil, acrylic, watercolour, encaustic, pencil, ink and stained glass. As an abstract expressionist, colour field and lyrical abstractionist his subjects were spatial relationships, colour, texture and shape. His most typical mature work is recognized by a picture plane that is divided into rectangular or square spaces filled with mixtures of opaque and translucent paint. The effect is a surface of lush colour and texture that draw the viewer's attention into the work. Quote: "There are two ways to judge a painting ... One is based on criteria and theories of art. The second is based on the sensations we get before a picture. I paint the second way." - Jean McEwen (1956). In 1950 he graduated as a pharmacist from the University of Montreal. He is largely self-taught as an artist and began his serious painting career before graduation. In fact, his works were exhibited at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts in 1949 and 1950. In 1951 he moved to Paris where he lived and painted for 3 years, associating with Jean Paul Riopelle, Paul-Emile Borduas, Georges Mathieu and Sam Francis. At that time he also travelled in Brittany and visited Italy, Holland, Austria and Spain. In 1963 he visited Greece. His teaching career included work as a lecturer at Concordia University (Montreal) from 1983 to 1995. McEwen was a member of the Association of Non-Figurative Artists of Montreal (AANFM)* (1956) and its President from 1960 to 1961. In 1964, he was elected an associate of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts and in 1969 a full member. Listings wanted.