Author: Cowley Abbott

Thursday, April 10 marked our first 5 à 7 event of the year and Cowley Abbott was delighted to host familiar friends and new collectors! The evening was highlighted with talks from Art Specialist Eryn Brobyn and Senior International and Canadian Specialist Perry Tung. Attendees had the opportunity to view current works up for our April online sale which includes items from the collection of Robert Noakes, Select Canadian artworks and the Art of Atlantic Canada; as well as preview artworks upcoming in our Spring Live Auction.

In our first main floor gallery, Art Specialist Eryn Brobyn spoke on the topic of provenance – the ownership history of a work of art. The group was able to see the back of an artwork with a rich provenance, evident through its artwork labels. Eryn emphasized the rich histories that can be revealed through provenance and the challenges faced in the art world of discovering provenance.

Senior International and Canadian Specialist, Perry Tung, presented on the session Past and Present: International Art from the Collection of Robert Noakes, showcasing artworks from the incredible collection of designer and avid collector Robert Noakes. Cowley Abbott is delighted to present four online auctions showcasing the breadth and depth of his collection, an opportunity not to be missed.

One of our guests, Ali Husnain, shared that “everyone was nice and welcoming and it was my first time at an event like this. There was a lot of variety in the artwork and I was especially drawn to William Kurelek, those paintings felt quintessentially Canadian!”

Thank you to all those who attended, we look forward to hosting more events this auction season. For more information on Cowley Abbott events browse our website and follow us on social media!

Jaan Poldaas (1948-2018) was born in Sweden to Estonian refugees and grew up in Northern Ontario. Initially trained as an architect at the University of Toronto, Poldaas began painting in the geometric abstract style for which he is known, but from a consistently experimental and conceptual perspective. Cowley Abbott and the estate of Jaan Poldaas are pleased to present seven original works by the artist, including a full set of the six collage series or studies for Poldaas’ major works of the 1990s. Also featured is a work from the artist’s first series, entitled “Horizon paintings”, which consisted of experiments with monochrome paint on paper. Twenty-nine additional works from the artist’s personal collection by diverse artists represent five decades of Canadian art, telling a story about painting in Toronto and its legacy. All the works in the collection held meaning for the artist, and reflect Jaan Poldaas’ true admiration of paint, painting – and the great Canadian painters. 

Browse the catalogue for Artwork from the Estate of Jaan Poldaas, open for bidding until February 25th and available to preview at the Cowley Abbott gallery.