Alexandra Luke facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alexandra Luke
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| Born |
Margaret Alexandra Luke
14 May 1901 Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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| Died | June 1, 1967 (aged 66) Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
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| Nationality | Canadian |
| Education | Banff School of Fine Arts |
| Known for | Painting |
| Movement | Abstract expressionism |
| Spouse(s) |
Marcus Everett Smith
(m. 1925–1926)Clarence Ewart McLaughlin
(m. 1929) |
Alexandra Luke (born May 14, 1901, died June 1, 1967) was a talented Canadian artist. She was born Margaret Alexandra Luke in Montreal, Quebec. Alexandra Luke is famous for her abstract art. She was also a key member of a special group of artists called the Painters Eleven.
Contents
Alexandra Luke's Early Life
Alexandra Luke was born in Montreal. She had a twin sister named Isobel. In 1914, after high school, her family moved to Oshawa, Ontario. Both Alexandra and Isobel trained to be nurses. They studied at the Columbia Hospital for Women in Washington, D.C..
After becoming a nurse, Luke returned to Oshawa. She married Marcus Everett Smith. Sadly, he passed away just four months later. In 1926, Alexandra gave birth to their son, Richard. Later, she met Clarence Ewart McLaughlin. He was the grandson of Robert McLaughlin. Robert founded the McLaughlin Carriage Company. Alexandra and Ewart married in 1928. Their daughter, Mary, was born in 1930.
Becoming an Artist and the Painters Eleven
Alexandra Luke started making art in her late 20s. She was inspired by local artists Dorothy Van Luven and Dorothy Henderson. Luke began to paint and organize art classes in Oshawa. She helped build a strong art community there. She joined many local groups, like the Oshawa Women's Lyceum Club.
Luke painted landscapes in her home studio. She discovered abstract art after seeing modern art shows. She wanted to be a serious artist, not just a hobby painter. In 1944, she asked artist Caven Atkins to review her work. He told her that her style, like the Group of Seven, was not new enough. This made her want to explore abstract art more.
She went to the Banff School of Fine Arts (now Banff Centre) in 1945. Then, she studied at the Hans Hofmann School of Art in 1947. From Hofmann, she learned how to make her paintings feel energetic. She used color, texture, and white space in new ways.
Exhibiting Her Art
Luke started showing her art in the early 1950s. Her work was seen at places like the Canadian Group of Painters. In 1952, she organized the first Canadian Abstract Exhibition. There, she met many artists who would form the Painters Eleven. This group inspired her to create even more art. She showed her paintings in many places in the United States and Canada. Alexandra Luke was very important in promoting Canadian abstract art. She was a "strengthening, inspirational" part of the group.
Alexandra Luke's Later Life
Alexandra Luke continued to paint and support abstract art. She passed away on June 1, 1967, after an illness. She created a large number of artworks. She took part in over 80 group and solo art shows. She also became a member of important art groups. These included the Canadian Group of Painters in 1959. She also joined the Ontario Society of Artists in 1960.
Before she passed away, Luke and her husband Ewart helped a lot. They gave money and art from their own collection. This helped create a public art gallery for Oshawa. This gallery became The Robert McLaughlin Gallery in 1967. It was named after Ewart's grandfather.
Select Exhibitions
- 2002: The Alexandra Luke Gallery, Bracebridge (a look back at her work)
- 1987: The Robert McLaughlin Gallery, Oshawa (a look back at her work)
- 1977: The Robert McLaughlin Gallery, Oshawa (a look back at her work)
- 1969: The Robert McLaughlin Gallery, Oshawa
- 1960: Simpson's Baker Galleries, Toronto
- 1956: Riverside Museum, New York City
- 1955: Eglinton Gallery, Toronto
- 1953: Martha Jackson Gallery, New York
- 1952: Picture Loan Society, Toronto
- 1947: Riverside Museum, New York City
Select Collections
- National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa
- The Robert McLaughlin Gallery, Oshawa
- Museum London, London, Ontario
