Wilfrid Flood, Frenchtown, Cobalt (Chambers-Ferland Mine), 1939, watercolour on paper, 38.1 x 45.7 cm. Collection of the Ottawa Art Gallery. Photo: David Barbour.
The Ottawa Art Gallery has received a generous gift of 88 paintings and sketches done by late Ottawa artist, Wilfrid Flood. The paintings were donated by Flood’s daughter Francesca and her husband, George Heaslip.
“We are so honoured to bring such a substantial donation of Wilfrid Flood’s work into our permanent collection, especially now as we are building a new expanded home for the Ottawa Art Gallery,” said Alexandra Badzak, the gallery’s Director and CEO. “Particularly skilled in watercolour, Flood’s artworks evoke a strong sense Ottawa and surrounding region during a period of great change. This acquisition allows the OAG will be able to research, interpret and most importantly, share Wilfrid Flood’s work with generations of Ottawa citizens.”
Flood was an artist throughout his 42-year life (1904 -1946). He was associated with fellow painters like Henri Masson, Dr. Maurice Haycock, Captain George Pepper and A.Y. Jackson. Although Flood’s early death put his artistic output to a stop, his daughter Francesca was strongly influenced by her father’s work. Born in Ottawa, Frances studied Fine Arts at Alfred University in N.Y. She and her husband George were married in the 90’s and lived on Long Island, as well as the Palm Beach Gardens in Florida. Frances passed away in 2012, and George in 2015. Flood’s artwork was gifted to the OAG through their wills.
John Flood, son of Wilfred Flood and Frances’ brother, says that Canada was his father’s first love and that is why Frances wanted the paintings to remain in Ottawa.
Flood’s works are a mix of urban and rural landscapes, and portraits that will be a lovely contribution to the new art gallery set to open in 2017 at 50 Mackenzie King Bridge. To keep up with the expansion of the OAG and the Art Now-L’art ici Capital Campaign, visit artnow-artici.ca.
