Viewing Object

Object Description

Object ID

2018.042.001

Artist

Ewart, Peter

Title

The Birks Clock, Vancouver, by Peter Ewart.

Date

[1969?].

Description

1 oil painting : 45 x 40 cm. This painting depicts the Birks clock in Vancouver. There are two streetlights over the road on the right of the painting, with cars on the road to the right, and a red stoplight above them. In the foreground the road is empty. There are many people walking along the street behind the Birks clock, with some people stopped and standing on the street. Behind the clock to the left is a building with windows at each level, and an overhang above the first level. In the background are other buildings. The painting is oil on artist's board, and is framed in a grey wood frame with a wide burlap matte and a small white matte closest to the painting. The back of the painting has a short letter taped to it, and it reads "Langley/ May 12, 1969/ Dear Mrs. Yarath:/ Indeed you must/ have a poor opinion of my ability to/ fill commissions! Actually, just/ before I went in hospital I had/ started two Vancouver scenes/ with you in mind, and now/ that I am home and able to/ work again I shall finish them/ and phone you./ Sincerely Peter Ewart." Below the taped letter is a sticker reading "PETER EWART STUDIOS/ 9741 SHARPE ROAD, R. R. 2, LANGLEY, B.C./ "THE BIRKS CLOCK" PM Ewart."

People/Subject

Ewart, Peter Maxwell (1918-2001)

Peter Maxwell Ewart was born in Kisbey, Saskatchewan on 7 Apr. 1918, and grew up in Montreal. During WWII he served with the RCAF as a wireless operator, and was stationed at Bella Bella and Spider Island. In 1929 he first travelled by train with his father to British Columbia. He liked what he saw of B.C., and decided to move here and paint. He came to Langley from Vancouver in 1953. He was commissioned by the B.C. Telephone Co. to do their 1959 book cover, and he also did work for the CPR, B.C. Power Commission, West Coast Transmission, and the 1960 Imperial Bank Calendar. He specialized in paintings of the Cariboo, many of which he created on jeep expeditions. He and daughter Linda lived in the Simonds Road area for many years, and he was very involved in the creation of the Langley Community Music School. He died January 22, 2001, in Langley. In 2018, it was decided that Langley's newest middle school, established in the old R. E. Mountain Secondary School, will be named in his honour.

Vancouver (B.C.)

Argus v4.4.0.36 - Langley Centennial Museum