Ted Harrison Donates Murals To UVic

Renowned Canadian Artist Adds Colour to Campus Life

When Victoria painter Ted Harrison moved from his home last year, an expert was called in to save the murals on his walls. Now those two murals are hanging in the University of Victoria’s Social Sciences and Mathematics Building—a generous gift from the artist.

“The gift of these murals represents my affection for UVic and my belief that art breathes humanity,” says Harrison. “The installation of these pieces, which I have lived with for many years, ensures they will now be part of the greater community. Through them I hope to inspire others to see the beauty in all regions of our country.”

Art restorer Philip Mix studied the paintings to determine how best to remove them. View of British Columbia (acrylic on board, 8 ft x 8.5 ft, 1993 to April 1995) had been rendered on plywood, which was screwed to the walls. Vast Yukon (acrylic on wall board, 6 ft x 19.5 ft, 1995) was painted on drywall. Both were removed, which involved extracting screws and cutting away entire sections of wall. Mix then meticulously restored them.

“This is a significant gift,” says Martin Segger, director of UVic’s Maltwood Art Museum and Gallery. “Originally the murals were personal works by Ted, created for himself and his own home. Now, installed in public spaces in our new Social Sciences and Mathematics Building, they will complement the geographical themes of the art installation program and interior decor.”

“The gift of these incredible murals is a continuation of Ted’s generous support for UVic and its students, including the establishment of student scholarships,” says Dr. Peter Keller, dean of the university’s Faculty of Social Sciences. “Visitors as well as students, faculty and staff will derive immense pleasure from the presence of these outstanding works in highly visible public places in one of the university’s busiest buildings. We’re just so grateful to Ted.”

 

-- 30 --