Learn a little of Toronto's history as told through its plaques.

York Wilson

Photos by Alan L Brown - September 2006

A 1999 Heritage Toronto plaque here at 41 Alcina Avenue has this to say:

R. York Wilson R.C.A., O.S.A. achieved international acclaim during his long and active career. Born in Toronto, he first exhibited his paintings in 1931 and had more than 70 solo exhibitions. Influenced by international travel and study, his paintings evolved from figuration to abstraction. He pioneered art advances in Canada while gaining critical commendation abroad. In 1981 the prestigious Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy, invited Wilson to paint his self-portrait. His work is included in public, corporate and private collections throughout the world. Some of Wilson's twelve Canadian mural compositions are well known in Toronto. These include: The History of Oil (1957) in the Imperial Oil Building; The Seven Lively Arts (1960) in the Hummingbird Centre; Ontario (1968), in the Macdonald Block at Queen's Park. The Toronto architect John B. Layng designed this house at 41 Alcina Avenue for York and Lela Wilson. The unusual design, which incorporates the artist's studio, is a significant example of modern architecture in Toronto.

Plaque Location Co-ordinates: 43.679872 -79.417645

More "Arts" pages

Here are the comments for this page.

Posted April 29, 2009
York Wilson is the most underrated Modern artist in Canada; his paintings are amazing and should be fetching tens of thousands of dollars in galleries. Fantastic house: butterfly roofs are very rare in Toronto!
Dave LeBlanc, "The Architourist", Globe & Mail Real Estate

Here's where you can write a comment for this page.

Note: If you wish to ask me a question, please use the email link in the menu.

Note: Comments are moderated. Yours will appear on this page within 24 hours
(usually much sooner).