Born and raised in London, Ontario, multidisciplinary artist Greg Curnoe would become a defining figure in that city’s artistic scene. He was a strong proponent of London Regionalism, a movement that not only sought to celebrate regional Canadian artists, but also collective community organizing. Curnoe’s art advocacy efforts during the late 1960s saw the establishment of the Canadian Artists’ Representation (later known as Canadian Artists’ Representation/le Front des artistes canadiens). He also founded one of the first artist-run centres in Canada, the Region Gallery, in 1962.

Working across painting, sculpture, and printmaking, Curnoe’s work weaves together themes of Canadian history, iconography, and wit. His sculpture/painting, He Was Wearing Black Ankle Socks was part of his first solo exhibition at the now historic Isaacs Gallery in Toronto in 1966. His work can be found in the collections of the National Gallery of Canada, Vancouver Art Gallery, Winnipeg Art Gallery, and Art Gallery of Ontario among many others.