Greg Curnoe

Greg Curnoe (1936–1992) was a Canadian painter and cultural activist known for his vibrant, text-infused works that celebrated everyday life and championed Canadian identity. Born and raised in London, Ontario, Curnoe was a central figure in the London Regionalism movement, which emphasized local experience over metropolitan trends. Rejecting the art scenes of Toronto and New York, he established Region magazine and the Region Gallery in the early 1960s, and co-founded the Forest City Gallery in 1973. 
 
In 1976, Curnoe represented Canada at the Venice Biennale, and in 1981, he had a major retrospective at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. His work is held in numerous major public and private collections, including the National Gallery of Canada and the Art Gallery of Ontario. 
 
Tragically, Curnoe's life was cut short in 1992 when he was killed in a bicycle accident near Strathroy, Ontario while riding with the London Centennial Wheelers club.