Lawren Harris

“We lived in a continuous blaze of enthusiasm... Above all we loved this country and loved exploring and painting it...” -Lawren Harris

Born in Brantford, Ontario, into a wealthy, conservative and religious family, Harris enjoyed much privilege in his youth, enabling him to concentrate on his painting. Soon after meeting and becoming friends with J.E.H. MacDonald in 1911, they together formed the Group of Seven, although Harris is credited with being the most responsible for the formation of the Group. Harris was one of the major leaders of Canadian art for many decades, his life spanning eighty-five years and in that time his philosophy constantly moved him to explore new approaches towards his existence, and his art. Harris was recently featured in a solo exhibition at the Hammer Museum in LA, the Boston Museum of Fine Art and the Art Gallery of Ontario, entitled The Idea of North. Curated by Steve Martin, the exhibition highlighted the talents of this exceptional painter.