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LAWREN S. HARRIS
1885 – 1970
ALC RSA CGP G7 OSA RCA
Lawren Harris was born in Brantford Ontario into a wealthy family on October 23, 1885. He attended St. Andrew's College in Toronto, and from age 19 he studied in Berlin. His interests were primarily philosophy and eastern thought. Later, Harris became involved in Theosophy and joined the Toronto Lodge of the International Theosophical Society.
In 1911, he became friends with future Group of Sever member J.E.H MacDonald. In 1913, he financed the construction of the Studio Building in Toronto, a cheap space where he and his colleagues could live and work. In 1918, Harris and MacDonald started financing trips for their artist friends to the Algoma region. Harris was so passionate about the North Shore and fascinated by the theosophical concept of nature that he began making annual trips to the area. It was here that he developed the bold style that he is best known for.
In 1920, the Group of Seven was officially established and began holding annual exhibitions of their work in Toronto. During this time, Harris’ works became more abstract and simplified, specifically his Northern and Arctic landscapes. He also stopped signing and dating his works so that his work would not be judged for his authorship nor by the period during which they were painted.
In 1938, Harris moved to New Mexico, where he and other artists formed the Transcendental Painting Group. In 1940, Harris moved to Vancouver, British Columbia and began his work with abstract painting. In 1969, he was made a Companion of the Order of Canada. He continued his work in Vancouver, until his death in 1970. Several of his works have sold in the millions of dollars.
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