“Terrifying” 2:48
Kurelek relays the ordeal of his early years in Manitoba, at home on the farm and at school.
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Kurelek relays the ordeal of his early years in Manitoba, at home on the farm and at school.
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“I noticed fairly early that I could draw” 0:59
Kurelek discusses his first exposure to art education, as well as an early artistic rivalry.
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Kurelek discusses his first exposure to art education, as well as an early artistic rivalry.
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“With the ambition to become a wheat king” 1:01
Kurelek describes the farming efforts of his father, Dmytro Kurelek, during the 1930s.
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Kurelek describes the farming efforts of his father, Dmytro Kurelek, during the 1930s.
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“I lost one of those mittens” 1:10
Kurelek recalls one particular incident that illustrates the dire circumstances his family faced during the Great Depression.
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Kurelek recalls one particular incident that illustrates the dire circumstances his family faced during the Great Depression.
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“What I hated doing, what I feared doing, I had to do anyway” 1:06
On this track, Kurelek describes his father's uncompromising expectations regarding farm work, and the artist's own ineptitude with that work.
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On this track, Kurelek describes his father's uncompromising expectations regarding farm work, and the artist's own ineptitude with that work.
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“I really fell in love with nature” 1:29
Kurelek talks about the outdoor world, particularly of southern Manitoba, that so fascinated him during his youth.
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Kurelek talks about the outdoor world, particularly of southern Manitoba, that so fascinated him during his youth.
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“I felt completely countryish” 2:00
Kurelek discusses how the crippling shyness he had developed at elementary school followed him to Winnipeg, as well as the positive influence of a Ukrainian Orthodox priest.
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Kurelek discusses how the crippling shyness he had developed at elementary school followed him to Winnipeg, as well as the positive influence of a Ukrainian Orthodox priest.
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“I was becoming intellectually proud” 2:04
Kurelek addresses specifically the expectations his father had as to the outcome of his university education, and the effect his studies had on his beliefs.
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Kurelek addresses specifically the expectations his father had as to the outcome of his university education, and the effect his studies had on his beliefs.
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“A gentlemanly tolerance” 0:54
Kurelek discusses his voyage to Europe in 1952, and his first impressions of the English people.
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Kurelek discusses his voyage to Europe in 1952, and his first impressions of the English people.
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“It wasn't so much that I was different; I was too honest” 2:17
Kurelek discusses two jobs he had while in London, England, during which time he was also a patient at two psychiatric hospitals.
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Kurelek discusses two jobs he had while in London, England, during which time he was also a patient at two psychiatric hospitals.
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“Oh, is that all it is” 2:16
As a psychiatric patient, Kurelek had access to studio facilities. He describes his developing artistic practice, as well as the continuing struggles he had with his family, even from across the Atlantic Ocean.
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As a psychiatric patient, Kurelek had access to studio facilities. He describes his developing artistic practice, as well as the continuing struggles he had with his family, even from across the Atlantic Ocean.
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“She was the angel that God sent” 3:43
Margaret Smith was an occupational therapist at Maudsley, one of the two psychiatric hospitals where Kurelek was a patient. She played a foundational part in Kurelek's conversion to Roman Catholicism, and the two maintained a regular correspondence until the end of his life.
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Margaret Smith was an occupational therapist at Maudsley, one of the two psychiatric hospitals where Kurelek was a patient. She played a foundational part in Kurelek's conversion to Roman Catholicism, and the two maintained a regular correspondence until the end of his life.
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“I'd like to give you a show” 1:42
Toronto's The Isaacs Gallery played a pivotal role in the lives and careers of Canadian artists in the 1960s and 1970s. Kurelek recounts his first meeting with gallerist Avrom Isaacs.
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Toronto's The Isaacs Gallery played a pivotal role in the lives and careers of Canadian artists in the 1960s and 1970s. Kurelek recounts his first meeting with gallerist Avrom Isaacs.
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“Another big breakthrough” 1:52
Prairie Boys Winter (1973) Lumberjack (1974), and A Northern Nativity (1977) are some of Kurelek's best-known books. Kurelek describes how the idea of publishing books took off.
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Prairie Boys Winter (1973) Lumberjack (1974), and A Northern Nativity (1977) are some of Kurelek's best-known books. Kurelek describes how the idea of publishing books took off.
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“You say your art is of two types” 0:42
Kurelek makes a distinction between two kinds of painting in his practice.
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Kurelek makes a distinction between two kinds of painting in his practice.
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“Well, I guess, God” 0:25
Kurelek succinctly summarizes what is most important to him in life.
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Kurelek succinctly summarizes what is most important to him in life.
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Audio