Press Release

Paul Kyle Gallery proudly announces the opening of "Jack Bush: Flaunting the Rules," a pivotal survey of Jack Bush, a leading figure in the Colour Field movement, opening on February 1st, 2025. This exhibition marks the first major solo showcase of Bush’s work in British Columbia in nearly half a century, revisiting the years 1961 to 1976 when Bush, under the transformative influence of critic Clement Greenberg, redefined the boundaries of abstract painting. As a member of the influential Painters Eleven group and one of the few Canadian artists to gain recognition from New York's prestigious Robert Elkon Gallery and André Emmerich Gallery in the 1960s, Bush helped establish Toronto as a significant centre for abstract art while achieving remarkable success in the international arena.

The exhibition showcases a selection of thirteen iconic and monumental works from prominent collections that trace the evolution of Bush's unique style and technique through his most significant period. "Pink on Red (Thrust)" (June 1961) begins the journey, marking Bush’s decisive shift toward the bold, intuitive approach that would capture the attention of major institutions worldwide. "January Reds" (January 1966) continues the theme with its vibrant colour and scale. The exhibition progresses with "June Lilac" (June 1973) and "London #12" (September 1973), each showcasing Bush's mature phase of combining crisp geometries with spontaneous brushwork. The chronology culminates with a 6 by 12 feet painting "Spin-Off Yellow" (June 1976), a significant work epitomising Bush's mastery of colour and form. These works exemplify Bush's departure from stringent artistic conventions, embracing a quirkiness that became his signature within the Colour Field movement, aligning him with peers such as Morris Louis and Kenneth Noland but also highlighting his unique path.

The exhibition is accompanied by a catalogue with an essay by the distinguished writer, curator, and art scholar Roald Nasgaard, whose expertise brings critical insight into Bush’s significant impact on both Canadian and international art scenes. This catalogue not only serves as a scholarly resource but enhances the narrative of Bush's enduring influence on contemporary art.

"Jack Bush: Flaunting the Rules" invites audiences to experience the boldness of Jack Bush’s work in a presentation that promises to ignite interest in his artistic legacy. Through this exhibition, Paul Kyle Gallery celebrates a trailblazer who continuously challenged the paradigms of abstract art, making this a must-see exhibition.

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