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 The Michener
Award and the artist who designed it - John Matthews
In 1968, Roland Michener’s daughter, Joan was searching for a
private studio where she could work on a painting she had been doing
of her father - the Governor General. It was to be a surprise Christmas gift for her mother
Norah Michener. Joan wanted working space away from the distractions
of Rideau Hall to finish her project.
Dr. Robert H. Hubbard, Rideau Hall historian and former chief
curator of the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa, was a close
friend of both John Matthews’ family and of Roland Michener. He
approached John and asked if Miss Michener could borrow his Ottawa
studio for a few days. Permission was granted without hesitation.
The ties with the Michener family were long standing. John’s father,
Don Matthews, was friends with both former Prime Minister Lester
Pearson and Roland Michener while they served together in Canada’s
Department of External Affairs. In addition, Pearson had been Don
Matthews’ history professor at the University of Toronto
But this was John’s first personal contact with the Michener family
and it undoubtedly paved the way for his future relationship with the
Governor General.
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John Matthews - 1976 |
John Matthews was born in Ottawa in 1942. His father, W.D. ‘Don’
Matthews, was a prominent Ottawa external affairs diplomat who
worked under Lester Pearson for several years during the 1940’s and
50’s. He was also a former Canadian ambassador to a number of
countries. Much of young John’s early childhood was spent abroad
with his family. He lived with his family in Stockholm and
Washington. Through his father’s association, he was able to meet
Lester Pearson on several occasions including one special night when
his mother invited Canada’s former prime minister home to dinner.
While still in his teens, he enrolled in a summer course at the
Banff school of Fine Arts to study painting. In 1962, his growing
interest in art took him to the Doon School of Art in Ontario.
The
following year he was accepted to the art program at Mount Allison
University. Here he was able to rub shoulders with
Lawren P. Harris, who was then director of the University’s Fine Arts
Department, and Alex Colville who had been an instructor at Mount
Allison, his alma mater, since 1946. It was Colville who kindled his
interest in realism - the true-to-life depiction of nature or
contemporary life.
Then it was off to New York and the famed Arts Students League from
1964 to 1966. All of this training provided him with a solid
background in painting, anatomy, drawing, print-making, lithography
and sculpture. But it was in New York that he finally realized
sculpture would be his chosen field.
John Matthews - 1969 |
He travelled extensively
throughout Europe, Mexico, and North America where he honed his appreciation
and love of the arts.
While still in New York, he wrote to Henry Moore in
the hope of working with the famous sculptor at his studio in England. Moore did
not require an assistant at the time but later in 1966, when John
was again travelling in Europe, he went to visit Moore at his home
in England. His timing could not have been better.
By this time Moore was looking for an assistant and the young Canadian
was hired.
While there was no formal instruction during the year he
spent with Moore, it was a marvellous learning experience for the budding
artist. Just being surrounded by Moore’s sculptures and listening to
this quiet, unassuming man talk, were in themselves inspirational.
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