A Jock McDonald Remix Project by Pete Smith.

This blog is a running journal that was made in conjunction with my artist residency at the Robert McLaughlin Gallery in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada that took place between December 2014 and February of 2015.

To get an understanding of how this project fits into the larger scope of my art practice, please visit:

www.petesmith.ca


Monday, December 15, 2014

Email Correspondence with Sandra Altwerger

Hi Sandra,

Although we've never met, I teach in drawing and painting at OCAD. (In fact, I was at your retirement celebration.) I'm doing an exhibition/research project for the Robert McLaughlin Gallery in Oshawa that's in relation to Jock Macdonald. Paul Sloggett tells me that you may have studied with him, or might know some people who did. As part of my project I want to incorporate stories from OCAD about Macdonald as told by people from OCAD. As a younger teacher here, I feel a connection through this.

Best,

Pete Smith

Hi Pete,

I have only faded memories of Jock MacDonald.

He was a nice man and a good teacher. I would say he was the only faculty that I learned anything from. He taught me how to see form and space and to manipulate a drawing in charcoal. I never forgot him although he died early in my time at OCA in 1960. I had just begun as a student and he died in October of 1960. There was just enough time to form a memory and I used what he taught me as a foundation for my visual thinking ever since.

His teaching was very much at odds with the traditionalism taught at the time. I think that was very hard on him.

It was nice to hear from you. I hope you are enjoying your teaching at OCAD U.

Regards,

Sandra

No comments:

Post a Comment