Jack Shadbolt (1909-1998) is one of Canada’s most important artists. He is known for his paintings and murals that draw from his personal experiences and from the social and political conflicts that have taken place in British Columbia’s and world history such as the struggles of the First Nations, the Second World War and the environmental movement.

Jack Shadbolt: Underpinnings is a celebration of the artist’s centenary and includes over 150 drawings and sketches from the Collection of the Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery as well as journal entries and archival materials from the University of British Columbia Library, Rare Books and Special Collections. The works of art and documents date from the 1930s to the 1980s and many are being exhibited for the first time. One section of the exhibition reveals the artist’s technical approaches to large scale mural work and also shows the artist’s creative approaches to themes which continue to resonate today.

Over the past two decades, the Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery has benefited from a rich relationship with the Shadbolts. The works of art that have been gifted by Jack and Doris Shadbolt from 1996 to 1998, by Doris Shadbolt in 1998 after the death of her husband and by the Estate of Doris Shadbolt from 2008 to 2009 have deepened the Gallery’s existing collection of important work by this artist. The works are significant to the understanding of Shadbolt’s production and to the history of Canadian art.

This exhibition is part of an ongoing series that highlights works from the collection of the Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery at the University of British Columbia. Containing more than 2,500 significant works of art by Canadian and international artists, it is the third largest public art collection in the province.

We thank the University of British Columbia Library, Rare Books and Special Collections and gratefully acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts.