Born in Sandycove, County Dublin, Ireland June 7, 1920. Died in Victoria, BC July 17, 2009.
George is probably best remembered as a teacher and artist. Educated at St. Columba’s College, he went on to read philosophy at Trinity College, Dublin (1939-44). On leaving Ireland, he held temporary teaching posts at Radley and Eastbourne Colleges, married Margaret and continued his studies at the West of England College of Art, Bristol. For the next eight years, with a growing family, he taught at the Falmouth School of Art, Cornwall. In 1957 the family emigrated to Canada, where he taught at Ryerson, Toronto and Blakelock High School, Oakville, before moving to McMaster University, Hamilton. There, he was instrumental in developing the Fine Arts Department and in creating an art collection which now includes the Herman Levy bequest. His large, public, welded steel sculptures from that time reflect “The Steel City” and may be seen at McMaster University, Mohawk College, the Art Gallery of Hamilton, the Jewish Community Centre, the MacDonald Stewart Art Centre in Guelph; as well as in London at the Church of St. John the Divine and at the Halton County Court House. When George retired to Victoria in 1985, he explored one media after another: drawing, etching, painting, sculpting and making monotypes. He researched historical techniques and, an acknowledged expert in the history of printmaking and paper, he spent hours cataloguing the print collection at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria. He has had 13 solo exhibitions in major galleries, including both the Art Galleries of Hamilton and Greater Victoria. In 2007, although suffering from Alzheimer’s, he continued to draw in St. Charles Manor Care Home. These last works will be on display at a celebration in remembrance of his life at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria on Sunday, August 9, from 2-4 pm.
George is mourned by his wife, Margaret, Kit (Patsy), Julia (Randy), Mark; and five grandchildren.
20 Responses
Dear Margaret and family-
I learned of the death of George through the obituary in The Globe and Mail. My sincere sympathy to you and your family.
What a wonderful colleague George was and what a great deal he gave to the Art Department at McMaster and to the university of McMaster. I will remember him as one of those very special people that I met during my years at McMaster. He was always so willing to share his vast knowledge of studio techniques and I will never forget the time he gave up to “teach” me the basic differences between engravings and mezzotints.
We spent many hours together dscussing art history and, in particular, our special shared interest in the prints of William Hogarth. It was largely beacuse of him that I left the bulk of my collection of early Hogarth prints to the McMaster Museum of Art..
McMaster was very fortunate to have him as one of its staff.
Sincerely Paul Fritz
Dear Margaret and family… Our sincere condolences to you. We were so moved by the news of George’s passing…deep sadness and at the same time flooded by so many fond memories! The few prints we have of George’s from my days (early 70’s) as Slide Librarian in the Fine Arts Department at McMaster have been a constant link over the years…always displayed prominently after every house move… to George…the person – engaging humour (and feistiness!) and comfortable smile – multi talented artist whose figures always provoked so much energy in the viewer – and wonderfully engaging instructor. As well… to both your generous spirits ….offering two newly weds (and broke!) your cottage at Killbear one summer! Although unable to be present on August 9th in Victoria, we extend our warmest regards to you and your family Margaret. Margery and Sam DiGiandomenico.
Dear Margaret,
I was so saddened to read of George’s passing.
I will remember tours of his studio on Huntington Street thinking what a wonderful creative life you two enjoyed, he in his studio, you in the garden. I hope that the memories of such a full life comfort you during this difficult time.
My sincere condolences.
Kenna Barradell
Kenna
Dear Margaret and family,
I was saddened to read in the Globe & Mail that Geo had passed away. He was and will remain a very important professor and friend in my life, as I moved from science into art history in the early 1960s at McMaster University. He was an inspired and inspiring artist and art historian, who I was fortunate to have had as a part of my life.
Brydon
My condolences, Mark and your family.
Francis Lemieux
Dear Margaret, Julia, Mark and Kit.
This comes with my thoughts and deepest condolences. It was with great sadness that I heard of George’s passing. He was such a kindred spirit of Dad’s and has always had a special place in our hearts. Your family played such a large role in our childhood, and many are the memories I cherish of our times together, both at 18 Main and at 209 Governors. I particularly remember your kindness in taking us under your wings when Mom went to India in the summer of 1963.
I wish you peace and comfort at this sad time.
With love, Joan (Elliott) Stephens and family
This comes with my prayers and heartfelt sympathy. All of you were a great part of my childhood in Dundas and tons of good memories came flooding in when I heard the news today. I especially remember his “Lazarus”, which is embedded in my memory and inextricably connected to my reading and reading of Saint John’s gospel. I remember the smell of his welding in the shops at 18 Main and 209 Governor’s Road – and i will always think of him with his welding goggles up on his forehead as he paused in his work to speak to you with his penetrating eyes. Please call me sometime. God bless you. your friend, always, Peter
As an art history student at McMaster in the mid-60s, I was required to take a studio class so as to acquire a better understanding of the media artists work with. Being singularly untalented as an artist, I was very apprehensive. Professor Wallace, however, managed to put me at ease, and helped me to really see what was before me. This he did by asking me to paint a simple slice of cucumber, with all its intricacy and nuanced colour. This gift of seeing has stayed with me throughout the years and contributed immensely to my enjoyment of life. I’ll always be grateful to him for this. My sincere condolences to his family.
I will never be able to put a value on what I learned as an extramural art student at McMaster. Although Mr. Wallace sparked my interest in Art HIstory, he also broadened my understanding of the creative process while taking the three “studio” courses in his department in the mid sixties. His fine art background always surfaced when he was confronted by art pieces by craftsmen even of national stature. He did not pull any of his punches. While I only experienced his wit and wisdom for a few years, his family will have had a far greater experience to remember.
I am sorry to read of his decline in the last two years.
My sincere condolences to Mark on the loss of your father. I will always treasure my memories of the time we spent together as friends in Dundas in the late 60’s and early 70’s. I remember the friendly ambiance of your hill-top home on Governor’s Road. I remember George, Margaret and Julia. I think I met Kit once. I always wondered what became of you. I heard you were designing custom furniture. Hope you are doing well. I will let my cousins Peter Elliott and Joan Stephens know about your loss since they were also good friends of yours from Dundas.