JOYCE WIELAND "FILM STRIP (RED)" DRAWING, c. 1963

Joyce Wieland (1931-1998) was one of the most accomplished and versatile Canadian artists of the 20th century. Emerging on the Toronto art scene at the beginning of the 1960s, over the course of her career Wieland explored the role of women, the body, nationalism, and intimacy using a variety of mediums. As well as drawing and painting, the artist utilized untraditional materials such as quilts and lipstick. Traditionally seen as feminine and craft-like, Wieland renegotiated the ‘low art’ or inherently misogynistic labels of these materials, engaging with feminist dialogue in subject matter and medium. All biographies of the artist have noted that Wieland was an artist constantly sketching, doodling and drawing. One of her most common motifs was stylized, cartoon-like drawings. She first began making comic-strip style drawings as a child to cope after the death of her parents. Throughout her career, Wieland revisited comic and/or film strips in both drawings and paintings. This drawing is done in a segmented, comic style. Executed in red ballpoint pen, a medium the artist often used, each vignette offers a playful meditation on love. "Film Strip (Red)" is a paradigm of Wieland's work from this era. Wieland established new benchmarks for what was possible for a female artist to achieve. Notably, she was the first female artist to have a solo exhibition at the National Gallery (Ottawa) in 1971. Today, Wieland's works can be found in numerous public collections across Canada including the National Gallery, Museum London and the Art Gallery of Ontario (Toronto). Questions about this piece? Contact us, call +1.416.704.1720, or visit our Toronto Gallery. Untitled (Red Film Strip) Canada, circa 1963 Red ballpoint pen on paper Signed by the artist, lower right 8.5"H 11"W (work) 13"H 15.5"W (framed) Very good condition. Note: Price is $1,850 CAD.