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About Kenneth Danby
Ken Danby was born March 6, 1940 in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada. At the young age of ten, having already received recognition for his drawing ability, he made the decision to become an artist, and learned of the Ontario College of Art in Toronto. Following his highschool graduation eight years later, he enrolled at OCA. Ultimately, the school's over-emphasis on abstract art at the time did not appeal to Darby, and two years later he quit in order to pursue his preferred interests.
He worked at a multitude of art-related jobs over the next three years, while exploring various directions in his painting. His first solo show, an exhibition of abstract paintings at the age of 21, was a success, but he still felt less than challenged and decided to return to a representational focus which, in spite of being against the grain in the world of art, offered Ken a greater satisfaction. This decision was reinforced for him months later when he attended an exhibition by Andrew Wyeth in Buffalo, NY. In 1963, he arranged to review his work with noted Toronto gallery owner, Walter Moos, who was supportive, and Gallery Moos presented Ken Danby's first solo show of representational art in 1964. It quickly sold out, and set an example that was repeated and surpassed many times over the next three decades.
Although exclusively a realist painter, Danby refuses to be otherwise classified. Equally comfortable with oil on canvas, egg tempera, watercolour, and pen/pencil, he explores whatever subject or experience appeals to him. Portraits, landscapes, seascapes, sports, figure work and the unusual (an ancient crystal skull, for example), have all been inspirations for Ken Danby's work.
Since 1964, Danby has presented many solo exhibitions and participated in numerous group shows.
Since 1967 Ken Danby has lived and worked in the countryside one-hour west of Toronto. The natural beauty of his local surroundings is often found in his work. He resides with his wife, Gillian, in a rebuilt 1856 stone mill beside a river, surrounded by woods, the original miller's stone house, a stable and a former coach house/barn, now expanded to accommodate his personal management company.
Already the recipient of many awards in the arts, Ken Danby was officially recognized in 2000 and 2001 with three of the country's highest honours; The Order of Ontario, The Order of Canada, and the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal. Each was awarded for "exemplary contributions to the country". |
Paintings by Kenneth Danby
| Field with Two Barns |
| watercolor on paper:17 x 22 1/4 inches |
| signed and dated 1964:lower right |
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| Below the Loft |
| tempera on masonite:19 1/8 x 28 1/8 inches |
| signed:lower right |
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