Greg Curnoe

Greg Curnoe was a highly revered artist, bookmaker, and competitive cyclist. He was based in London, Ontario but beloved across the country. He would represent Canada at the Venice Biennale in 1976.

Unwavering in his allegiance to the Canadian/local art scene, Curnoe led the London Regionalism movement alongside fellow artists such as Jack Chambers, Tony Urquhart, and Murray Favro. Together, they championed their hometown of London, Ontario by focusing on local life in their art, activism, and loyalty.

In an act of cruel irony, Curnoe died in a tragic cycling accident while riding the same yellow Mariposa bike that was a frequent subject in his work.  

Curnoe’s lifetime passion for sport had a large presence in his practice and iconography. Capturing subject matter from the local social and cultural milieu, Curnoe was devoted to depicting personal objects and experiences from his day-to-day life, inspiring a generation of artists to do the same. While Curnoe could be considered a second-generation Pop artist, there was something more personal and intimate in both his approach and artwork. 

Courtesy of Caviar20