There are few modern Canadian painters whose work has captured our collective imagination to the extent that Alex Colville’s has. Born in 1920, Colville served as a Canadian war artist in the Second World War and taught Fine Arts at Mount Allison University, Sackville, NB, before embarking on a career as a full-time artist. His paintings, often described in terms of magic realism, have found an international following. In celebration of Colville’s ninetieth birthday in 2010, Gaspereau Press commissioned essays on Colville’s life and work from four contributors–two German and two Canadian. The resulting collection provides an intimate and thought-provoking reflection on both the artist and his work.

Robert Fulford was editor of Saturday Night magazine for 19 years and he currently writes a weekly column for The National Post. His books include The Triumph of Narrative, This Was Expo, Best Seat in the House, Accidental City, and Toronto Discovered. He lives in Toronto.

Robert Fulford's profile page

Cyril Welch taught philosophy at Mount Allison University, Sackville, NB, when Colville lived and worked in that community.

Cyril Welch's profile page

Andreas Schultz is a writer and director living and working in Berlin. In 2008, he released Colville, a documentary film on the life and work of Alex Colville.

Andreas Schultz's profile page

Wieland Schmied is an editor, art critic and gallarist who mounted Colville’s first solo exhibition in Germany in 1969.

Weiland Schmied's profile page