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ROBERTSON, Maisie
- Born
- Harrison Hot Springs, British Columbia, 1910
- Died
- Vancouver, British Columbia, 1998
- Biography synopsis
- Recognised for her drawings, paintings and sculptures of animals, Maisie Robertson graduated from the Vancouver School of Decorative and Applied Arts in 1931 where she studied under Kate Smith Hoole. After completing her studies she had an extensive exhibition history that began in 1932 when she exhibited a portrait in the All Canadian Exhibition of the Vancouver Art Gallery. In addition to exhibiting at the Annual British Columbia Artists exhibitions (Vancouver Art Gallery) between 1933 -1950, receiving a medal for sculpture in 1938, Robertson became a member of the British Columbia Society of Artists in 1937; her works were included in the annual shows until 1967. In 1938 she was a part-time instructor at the Canadian Institute of Associated Arts in Vancouver; she taught wood carving, drawing and animal sketching. She became a member of the Canadian Federation of Artists when it was established in 1941. In 1951 she had the opportunity to travel to Africa to paint wildlife and was commissioned by the British Royal family for a number of her artworks for their home in Nairobi, Africa. Robertson exhibited in the Seattle Art Museum's annual Northwest Artists exhibition in 1963 as well as Canadian Ceramics 63.
- Media used
- Pottery
- Sculpture
- Education
- Vancouver School of Decorative and Applied Arts (VSDAA), ? - 1931 (under Kate Adeline Smith Hoole)
- Memberships
- British Columbia Society of Artists, 1937-1967
- Federation of Canadian Artists, 1941 founding member
- File & Archive locations
- Art Gallery of Ontario - Edward P. Taylor Research Library and Archives
- National Gallery of Canada, ON - Library and Archives
- University of British Columbia - Fine Arts Library
- Vancouver Art Gallery, BC - Library
- Vancouver Public Library, BC - Fine Arts and History Department
- BIBLIOGRAPHY
Writings about- "Leaves for Africa: aim to Paint Lions." The Gazette (Montreal) 30 Jan 1951: 14
- "Maisie Robertson." Visions Vancouver: Emily Carr Institute of Art, 1998
- "Miss Maisie Robertson is Young Artist of Much Talent." The Province 24 Oct 1926: 31
- "Pasovas Art Show." Vancouver Sun 6 Nov. 1934
- Appleton, Marion Brymner, ed. Who's Who in Northwest Art: A Directory of Persons in the Pacific Northwest Working in the Media of Painting, Sculpture, Graphic Arts, and Handicrafts. Seattle: Frank McCaffrey, 1941
- Canadian Guild of Potters et al. Canadian Ceramics '63/ Ceramiques Canadiennes '63. Toronto, Montreal: Canadian Guild of Potters Canadian Handicraft Guild, 1963
- Lang, Naomi. "Dream comes true for Artist - She's off to paint Lions in Africa." The Vancouver Sun 11 Jan 1951 1971: 17
- MacDonald, Colin S. The Dictionary of Canadian Artists. (Volumes 1-8 by Colin S. MacDonald, and volume 9 by Anne Newlands and Judith Parker) Ottawa: National Gallery of Canada, 2009.
- Palette. "B.C. Society of Fine Arts B.C. Display Sets New High Mark." Vancouver Daily Province 16 May 1942
- Thornton, Mildred Valley. "Art Lovers enjoy Gallery Stroll." The Vancouver Sun 26 Mar 1949: 21
- Tuele, Nicholas. "B.C. Women Artists: 1885-1985" Canadian Collector (November/December 1985):60-63
- White, Marguerite. "B.C. Artist will capture Giraffes in east Africa on her Sketch Pad." The Vancouver Daily Province 11 Jan 1951: 25
Writings by- Bearcroft, Norma, illustrated by Maisie Robertson. Top Hat, the Thinking Horse. Richmond, B.C.: Bearcroft, 1973
