Art that’s driven by the artist’s story
New book coming out in April
Nova Scotia folk art began as an idiosyncratic art form that became a tidal wave of a genre.
That’s how Ray Cronin puts it and he should know.
The new curator of the Beaverbrook Art Gallery in Fredericton, New Brunswick has written countless articles and more than a dozen books on art (including two on Maud Lewis) and he’s about to publish another one in April. Entitled Nova Scotia Folk Art – An Illustrated Guide, it’s a project he’s undertaken in collaboration with the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia where for over 14 years he worked as its curator, then its director and later its CEO.
Ray Cronin is a Nova Scotia based writer, curator, and editor who has written fourteen books on Canadian art.
Halifax Art & Artists by Ray Cronin
“The interest in folk art does seem to be growing again and that’s been fuelled by Maud Lewis,” he says. The Nova Scotia folk artist was afflicted with severe rheumatoid arthritis throughout her life and died in relative poverty in 1970, never having sold a painting from her roadside stand for more than $10. In a record-breaking sale at Miller & Miller Auctions in May 2022, Maud’s Black Truck painting sold for $350,000 – 10 times its estimate.
Cronin says that until the first national tour of folk art in 1977, folk artists in Nova Scotia were virtually unknown by the broader population. “These artists evolved through the gallery and museum system. The awareness was created by that system,” he explains. “So you then began to see younger artists in Nova Scotia growing up in a wider folk art world, which then inspired a range of styles and innovations.”
Artists like Maud Lewis, Collins Eisenhauer, Sydney Howard and Ralph Boutilier “were coming in waves” says writer Harold Pearse. Their successes inspired others, adds Cronin, just as successful Inuit artists worked with other members in their communities, which inspired them to make their own creations.
“Nothing influences people like success,” he notes. “For every Alex Colville there are thousands who want to paint like him.”
Miller & Miller Auctions have impressive catalogues of folk art on offer at their upcoming sales: The Canadiana auction on Feb. 10 features the Richardson, Blevins, Morowetz and Molson Foundation collections, and the Canadian Folk Art auction Feb. 11 presents consignments from the Maritimes, Ontario and Quebec.
Cronin says a lot of collectors of Maritime folk art, who began 30 and 40 years ago and grew them into large collections, tended not to be from the Maritimes. But they had summer places there and would buy the folk art directly from the artist and display it in their summer home. Many of those collections are now coming out and being sold in what has become the secondary market.
“Will folk art become the next hot thing – who knows? Maud Lewis already has. The difference with folk art is the interest in the art is driven by the artist’s story – like Maud Lewis’.”
Black and White Cat by Maud Lewis is offered as lot 258 in Miller & Miller’s February 10th auction.
Two Deer in Winter by Maud Lewis is offered as lot 101 in Miller & Miller’s February 11th auction.
“Folk art as a genre is becoming more accepted, like landscape painting was in its time,” Cronin adds. “Many people think of folk art as being mainly from the antique world when people made things simply to make their everyday lives more beautiful. But now, it’s become an evolving art form – of course with value judgements along the way.”
Asked why people should care about folk art and how to approach collecting it, Cronin is straightforward. “You care because it speaks to you. I don’t advise people to buy on projected value. Few of us can afford to buy for investment. You buy things because you love them.”
That may include more well-known folk artists like Maud Lewis, Joe Norris and others, or the more contemporary artists who are among the 50 Nova Scotia artists he profiles in his new book. That includes people like carver Barry Colpitts, sculptor Eddie Mandaggio and hooked rug creator Laura Kenney.
Dalmatian With Red Bird Carving By Barry Colpitts is offered as lot 199 in the February 11th sale.
Grey Goose Carving By Edward "Eddie" Mandaggio is offered as lot 126 in the February 11th sale.
Cronin’s main message to current and future folk art collectors? “Look at the work. Listen to the stories. Look for what’s original, what’s different. There’s always a sense of discovery and wonder – at just how much imagination people have.”
By Diane Sewell
Diane Sewell has been a writer for more than 25 years, producing feature stories for some of the country’s top newspapers and consumer magazines, as well as client newsletters and commissioned books.
Canadiana
The Richardson, Blevins, Morawetz & Molson Foundation Collections
February 10, 2024
9am EST
Canadian Folk Art
Showcasing works from the Maritime Provinces, Ontario and Quebec
February 11, 2024
9am EST