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Mrs. Simcoe's Dream

Mrs. Simcoe's Dream

Dianne Bos
b.1956

Ian Paterson
b.1953

Mrs. Simcoe's Dream
  • 3 layers of silver gelatin prints laminated on aluminum frame work, and sentra board with UV coating
  • 1995
  • Dimensions: Not Available
  • 200 Front Street West, Simcoe Place, Toronto

About the artwork

The artwork by Dianne Bos and Ian Paterson reflect a chromatic installation of a black and white photograph surrounded by a pop art style frame. The natural elements embroidered around the photograph depicting a deer and a man, contrast the aluminium and other urban materials used to create the artwork. Moreover, the lack of colours and the straight geometrical forms create a strange and mix experience for the public, while travelling through different dimensions.

About the artist

A Canadian photographer based in Calgary, Alberta, whose works have been exhibited internationally since 1981. Bos was born in Dundas, Ontario, in 1956. She earned a degree in sculpture from Mount Allison University. Many of Bos’ photographs are produced using a homemade pinhole camera.

Ian studied at Chelsea School of Art from 1974 – a vibrant time. From one of the Sex Pistols first live appearances, to visits from David Hockney, Chelsea was the place to be. It was at this time that Ian perfected his unique style and paint application. A rigorous technician, Ian labours for as long as it takes to achieve the near airbrush quality of his paintings with pure brush work, painstakingly masking off the area to be painted and methodically applying paint to canvas. This devotion to technique lends an intensity to the scenes, creating paintings of calm and space.

Fun facts

  • Simcoe is a former British commander in the Revolutionary war and one of the founder of Toronto, as the new capital of Upper Canada in 1791. Since then, Toronto passed from native stewardship to British control.
  • As a Governor Simcoe qualified Toronto as his "dream province" stating in his own paternalistic words that he was "destined by nature to govern the interior world." The parallel between nature and colonization questions how entire civilization rely on their natural habitats in order to survive and how Western practices came to destroy entire communities over the centuries.

Engagement questions

  • What do you think of this artwork and would like to see more of the artist around your neighbourhood?