Alex Colville
Seven Crows, 1980
acrylic polymer emulsion on Masonite
50 x 120 cm
Collection of the Owens Art Gallery
Gift of Mr. Ross B. Eddy

Seven crows fly low over marshy grassland towards a dense area of forest. The grassy expanse, which fills the lower third of the painting, is mottled with warm brown and mossy green, painted in minute brush strokes.

The land is dyked, creating a raised berm that contains a narrow grey river that meanders into the distance. A line of short fence posts follows the contour of the dyke from the foreground, eventually crossing a short stretch of grass on the left side of the painting. 

The sky is heavy with a blanket of low, grey clouds. In the far distance, a series of hills recedes towards the horizon.

The two crows nearest us are the last in the flock; they are on the right side of the painting. One glides with its wings outstretched, while the other is caught in a downstroke. In both birds we can see the fine details of their black feathers.

The crow furthest from us, which leads the group, is easy to miss against the dark green of the forest.

Seven Crows

Alex Colville
Athletes, 1961
oil and synthetic resin on board
152 x 242 cm
Collection of the Owens Art Gallery

In this large, horizontal painting, four athletes participate in outdoor sports. The composition is divided vertically into three parts, creating a triptych. 

In the first panel on the left, a light-skinned swimmer in a black bathing suit is poised to dive. Her arms are thrust behind her, and her gaze is fixed forward. She wears a white bathing cap that is secured under her chin. Her body is tense, and her toes grip the edge of the pool. The water in the pool is choppy and painted in shades of bright blue and green.

The middle panel, which is slightly wider than the two outer panels, captures two athletes in the midst of their sports. At the top of the panel, a light-skinned high jumper with blond hair appears suspended in mid-air over the high jump bar and an area of beige sand below. He wears black shorts, a white top, and black sneakers with white details. In the middle distance, a black javelin thrower wearing white shorts and a white top prepares to throw his javelin. He leans backwards, holding the javelin in his right hand, while his left arm reaches forward, mirroring the diagonal position of the javelin. Beyond the javelin thrower is a long, low, grey roof of a structure. The grass of the field is bright green, becoming darker towards the foreground where it includes the details of arching blades of grass intermingled with white clover and dandelion blossoms.

The panel on the right features a light-skinned runner dressed in white shorts, black top, and black sneakers with white detailing. The runner’s head is cast back, and his arms fall to his sides as he reaches the white tape of the finish line, which crosses his chest. The black track, with its white painted lines, recedes into the distance to a vanishing point on the horizon. A white football goal post stands parallel to the track behind the runner.

The three panels, each a distinct scene, are unified by a single horizon line that stretches across the work. The ground occupies the lower third of the composition, while the sky, which fills the upper two thirds, is a cloudless, clear blue.

Athletes

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For more information about the Sweetest Little Thing visit www.sweetestlittlething.ca

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For more information about the Sweetest Little Thing visit www.sweetestlittlething.ca

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For more information about the Sweetest Little Thing visit www.sweetestlittlething.ca

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