SFU Collection

Perspective

Jack Shadbolt Collection and Copyright

An abstract painting featuring vibrant colors such as reds, yellows, greens, and blues. The composition is divided horizontally, with a band of blue in the center resembling water, reflecting the surrounding warm tones above and below. The brush strokes are textured, adding a sense of depth and movement to the overall piece.

Jack Shadbolt, Untitled, 1963, acrylic on paper. SFU Art Collection. Gift of the estate of Phyllis Mailing, 2005.

Victor Ballesteros

Jack Shadbolt is one of Canada’s most well-recognized twentieth-century artists. His work is held in the collections of major public galleries across the country, as well as in private and corporate collections. Shadbolt is best known for his paintings and murals which reflect his travels and experiences including his childhood in British Columbia, his studies in London, Paris and New York, and his work as a war artist during World War II. Shadbolt’s work was influenced by the natural world, including the cycles of life and death, growth, decay and destruction; ideas of metamorphosis and transformation; fetishes and homages; as well as Indigenous themes and motifs. Shadbolt received the Order of Canada in 1972. 

Simon Fraser University holds the copyright to Shadbolt’s work, courtesy of SFU Galleries.  

All copyright requests can be directed to Sydney Laiss, Collections Manager, at 778.782.4266 or sydney_laiss@sfu.ca 

Images (49)

A colorful art piece featuring a central figure with a dark mask and long hair, surrounded by various abstract shapes and facial features. The background is a light brown color, and the bottom half consists of a grid filled with multiple expressive, stylized faces and forms, rendered in vibrant hues. The artwork combines elements of abstraction and symbolic representation.
Abstract artwork featuring a mix of textures and patterns. The background is predominantly gray with splashes of blue and green, suggesting foliage. In the center, various blue fabric shapes with intricate paisley designs contrast with the muted background, creating a layered effect. The edges are framed with a light border, and handwritten notes appear in the lower left corner.
A black and white drawing featuring abstract shapes and forms, with a mix of curvy and angular lines. The composition includes patterned elements, resembling organic and geometric motifs. Some sections are shaded densely, while others are left with finer linework. The artist's signature appears in the bottom left corner.
A black and white abstract illustration featuring various stylized bird forms, including owls and other creatures, interacting amidst swirling lines and textures. The composition emphasizes dynamic movement and intricate patterns, creating a sense of energy and chaos.
A black and white illustration featuring stylized owls surrounded by abstract patterns and textures. The owls display intricate linework and shapes, blending into a chaotic background of swirling designs and shapes, creating a dynamic and visually engaging composition.
A black and white illustration featuring two stylized owls in the foreground, surrounded by abstract foliage and branches. The owls have distinct patterns and textures. In the background, a starburst shapes and additional abstract elements create a dynamic, night-like atmosphere. The overall composition is detailed and intricate, capturing a whimsical, artistic interpretation of a natural scene.
A black and white illustration featuring abstract designs with several stylized birds among intricate, swirling patterns. The background is predominantly black, contrasting with the white outlines of the birds and surrounding shapes.
A black-and-white abstract illustration featuring intricate linework and organic shapes. The composition includes various stylized forms resembling plants and creatures, with a mix of sharp and flowing lines throughout. The background is predominantly black, allowing the white details to stand out prominently, creating a dynamic contrast. The bottom of the image displays more elaborate textures and patterns, while the upper part showcases simpler shapes.
An abstract painting featuring a distorted depiction of a cow and a yellow animal on a reddish-brown background. The cow's body is painted in shades of black, white, and purple, with exaggerated facial features, while the yellow animal appears to be lying on its back. The artwork incorporates bold brush strokes and vibrant colors.
An abstract painting featuring vibrant colors such as reds, yellows, greens, and blues. The composition is divided horizontally, with a band of blue in the center resembling water, reflecting the surrounding warm tones above and below. The brush strokes are textured, adding a sense of depth and movement to the overall piece.
An abstract painting featuring a grid-like composition with varying shades of pink, orange, and dark gray. The surface is textured, with bold, flowing lines and shapes in darker colors that create a dynamic visual effect. The overall appearance is a mix of organic forms and script-like designs, emphasizing a vibrant yet chaotic aesthetic.
Abstract painting featuring bold colors, primarily yellows, blues, and purples. The composition includes dynamic shapes and sweeping lines, with a prominent yellow silhouette intersecting various dark and light backgrounds. Splashes of red and white add contrast, creating an energetic and vibrant visual effect. The artist's signature and date appear in the lower right corner.
An abstract painting depicting a coastal scene with vibrant colors. The left side features rocky cliffs in shades of red and orange, while the right side shows a calming turquoise ocean. The sky above is painted in soft blues with wispy white clouds. Bold brushstrokes create a textured appearance in both the water and the rocks.
The image features an abstract painting characterized by vibrant swirls of bright yellow and green against a dark black background. The composition includes fluid, wavy lines that create a dynamic and energetic interplay of colors. The brush strokes are expressive, and there are areas of contrasting tones that evoke depth and movement. The signature in the bottom corner is dated '95.
Abstract painting featuring geometric shapes in vibrant colors, including red, green, blue, yellow, and purple. The composition consists of angular forms arranged against a background with soft blue tones and hints of clouds. The bottom of the painting is darker, contrasting with the brighter upper section. The artist's signature and date are located in the bottom right corner.
An abstract painting composed of various geometric shapes and vibrant colors, including shades of red, blue, yellow, green, and purple. The composition features a central diamond shape amid a collage of rectangular and triangular forms, with contrasting color blocks creating a dynamic visual effect. The background contains a blend of soft and bold hues, enhancing the overall complexity of the piece.
An abstract painting featuring a dynamic composition of swirling shapes and vibrant colors. The background is predominantly purple, with prominent elements in bright yellow, blue, red, and green. The various forms intertwine, creating a sense of movement and depth. The artist's signature is visible in the lower left corner.
A vibrant, abstract painting featuring a mix of bold colors, primarily yellow and earthy tones. The left side depicts a stylized ant with detailed legs against a dark background, while the right side showcases abstract shapes and bright blue lines, suggesting a dynamic composition. The overall piece is characterized by fluid forms and energetic brushstrokes, creating a sense of movement.
An abstract painting featuring a gradient of warm colors, primarily orange and pink. In the upper portion, three circular shapes in varying hues—two suns and a peach-colored circle—float against a textured background. The lower section displays a large rectangular form in a deep red color with a rough outline, contrasting with the flowing, wavy patterns created by brush strokes throughout the canvas. The artist's signature and date are visible in the lower right corner.
An abstract artwork featuring a mix of bold colors and stylized, fluid shapes. The background consists of segments in brown, orange, and blue, with layers of textured metallic silver. Prominent blue shapes resembling letters or characters are interspersed, contrasting against the textured backdrop. The overall composition combines geometric forms with organic lines, creating a dynamic visual effect.
An abstract artwork featuring a blend of bold colors, including red, yellow, and black, with organic shapes and fluid lines. Central to the composition is a stylized moth-like figure, intricately designed with shades of brown and hints of pink and red. The background contrasts dark tones with lighter, vibrant shapes, creating a dynamic sense of movement and transformation. The artist's name and date are noted at the bottom.
An abstract artwork featuring dynamic forms and bold colors, including yellows, reds, blacks, and whites. The composition blends various shapes resembling animals or figures, set against a textured background of earthy tones with a dark blue horizon at the top. The overall effect is vibrant and energetic, with overlapping patterns and contrasting colors.
An abstract artwork featuring vibrant shapes and colors, predominantly dark blue in the background. The composition includes various organic forms in shades of yellow, orange, red, and black, creating a sense of movement and depth. The contrasting colors are layered and integrated into the blue backdrop, emphasizing the dynamic interplay between the elements.
An abstract artwork featuring a vibrant, stylized landscape. The composition includes various shapes resembling fragmented trees and colorful fish against a bright blue sky. The lower portion transitions to earthy tones, creating a contrast with the vivid colors above. The piece emphasizes bold colors, organic forms, and an imaginative scene.
An abstract artwork featuring a black background with white and orange shapes and patterns. The design includes stylized figures and symbols, creating a dynamic composition with a mix of geometric and organic forms.
A vibrant art piece featuring a deep blue background with silhouetted figures of five dancing or floating women in black. Below them is a large black hand with a red heart in the palm. In the lower part of the image, there are simple outlines of houses with yellow windows, and small yellow stars scattered throughout the background.
A vibrant abstract artwork featuring bold black and white shapes on a bright yellow background. The composition includes stylized figures and patterns, showcasing dynamic lines and contrasting colors. The artwork exhibits a mix of geometric and organic forms, creating a sense of movement and energy.
A black and white artwork featuring a grid of stylized owl illustrations. The grid is divided into four rows and four columns, with each owl depicted in a unique design. The top rows feature lighter shades and more detailed patterns, while the bottom rows use darker tones with simpler forms. Each owl has distinct characteristics, creating a playful, abstract representation. The artwork is signed and numbered in the bottom left corner.
An abstract graphic print featuring a vibrant red background with a textured pattern. At the top center, there is a single green square. Below, a grid of colored squares in green, purple, and blue is arranged, with purple squares alternating among green squares in a geometric pattern. The bottom of the image has a brown section, adding contrast to the overall composition.
An abstract watercolor painting featuring a vibrant yellow background with splashes of black, brown, and orange. A central black branch-like shape extends across the image, supporting various circular forms in black. The overall composition combines organic shapes and textures, creating a dynamic visual effect.
An abstract artwork featuring various styles of black calligraphy on an orange background. The text appears to be a mixture of letters and shapes, with some characters resembling cursive and others resembling symbols. The overall composition is dynamic, with the text flowing in different directions across the page.
An abstract painting depicting a stylized, textured landscape. The base features swirling black and gray tones, with areas of white, yellow, and light brown interspersed. The composition suggests a wave-like shape, with contrasting lines that create depth and movement against a dark, stormy background. The artist's signature is located in the bottom right corner.
An abstract painting featuring bold black shapes set against a vibrant background of colors including yellow, blue, green, and red. The composition has a dynamic interplay of forms and colors, creating a sense of movement and depth. The use of contrasting colors adds visual interest and energy to the artwork.
An abstract artwork featuring a bright yellow sun at the center, surrounded by geometric shapes and lines in various shades of blue, green, and black. Dark silhouettes of figures and structures, reminiscent of industrial elements, frame the scene against a vibrant turquoise background. The composition conveys a sense of depth and dynamism.
An abstract artwork featuring a dynamic composition of vibrant colors and shapes. The piece includes bold hues of pink, orange, black, and green, along with striped and patterned elements. Various organic and geometric forms intersect, creating a sense of movement and energy within the layered design. The background is a deep green marbled texture, enhancing the intensity of the foreground elements.
An abstract painting featuring a sandy landscape with vibrant, irregular shapes and colors depicting figures and structures. Dominant hues of beige and earthy tones are contrasted by splashes of red, blue, yellow, and black. A blue sky is visible at the top, while the background suggests a stylized architectural feature resembling a fortified wall or building.
A vibrant painting featuring a large crab in the center, with prominent orange and red claws and a detailed body. The background is a mix of deep purple and abstract shapes in fiery orange and yellow tones. The artwork has a dynamic and bold appearance, showcasing the crab's textured shell and expressive posture.
A monochromatic sketch featuring two goats in the foreground, with one goat appearing larger and more prominent. In the background, a horse is positioned behind a stylized, abstract representation of a farmhouse and other buildings. The composition is characterized by soft lines and shading, creating a serene rural scene. The artist's signature and year, "G. L. Shadwell '40," is located in the bottom right corner.
A pencil sketch depicting a rural waterfront scene. In the foreground, a curving path leads toward a raised wooden structure, with several small buildings and steps visible on the hillside. The background features trees and additional structures, with a layering of rocks and wooden planks near the waterline. The composition shows an interplay of light and shadow, highlighting the textures of the natural surroundings.
An abstract painting featuring a warm color palette of oranges, browns, and hints of pink. The composition consists of various geometric shapes and forms, creating a textured and layered effect. Darker tones are interspersed throughout, adding depth and contrast to the piece. The artist's signature is visible in the lower right corner.
A minimalistic line drawing depicts a couple standing closely together, with the man wearing a suit and the woman in a dress. They embrace, with a gentle curve in their posture suggesting intimacy. The background is a plain light color, emphasizing the simplicity of the composition.
A line drawing depicting a series of abstract shapes and forms arranged horizontally across the page. The outlines are predominantly black on a beige background, with an inscription at the bottom reading "CBC MURAL - FIRST STATEMENT. 1975." The composition features a variety of interconnected figures and motifs, creating a dynamic visual flow.
A drawing of a two-story house depicted at an angle, emphasizing its gabled roof, a circular window, and two front porches. The structure shows detailed wood siding, multiple windows, and a stairway leading to the front door. The background is a textured light surface, adding depth to the composition.
A digitally altered portrait of a woman with long hair, featuring a colorful and surreal mask-like face. The woman's skin is painted in various hues, including greens, yellows, and pinks, while she wears a green choker and has feathers in her hair. The background is a muted color that contrasts with the vivid details of the face and accessories. The artist's signature is visible in the bottom left corner, dated '79.
An abstract painting featuring a vibrant blend of pink, red, and orange hues. The upper portion has swirling pink skies with green and orange shapes, while the lower section displays soft, earthy tones. Bold brush strokes create dynamic shapes that suggest a landscape or horizon. The artwork is signed in the bottom right corner with the date "’09."
An abstract painting featuring a vibrant color palette dominated by shades of pink, orange, and green. The upper portion displays swirling pink clouds with rectangular shapes in green, orange, and red. The lower section features a gradient of warm colors, with subtle dark shapes suggesting figures or silhouettes against a glowing background. The artwork is signed in the bottom right corner.
A monochromatic watercolor painting depicting a corner building with a modern architectural style. The structure is partially visible, highlighting sharp angles and multiple levels. Two figures, dressed in long coats and hats, are standing at the base of the building, seemingly engaged in conversation. A streetlamp can be seen nearby, and the surrounding area includes a curved road and low fencing. The overall mood is somber, with shades of gray and brown dominating the composition. Handwritten notes and sketches are faintly visible in the background.
An abstract painting featuring a dynamic composition of bold brush strokes in a vibrant color palette. Dominant hues include orange, yellow, red, and blue, creating a sense of movement and depth across the canvas. The background transitions from a light blue at the top to warmer tones at the bottom, with an interplay of organic shapes and forms throughout.
A triptych painting features two houses on the left and right sides, separated by a construction site in the center. The left side depicts a two-story home with a balcony, while the right showcases a modern white house. In the foreground, two dismembered animal figures, rendered in an abstract style, lie on the street. The scene is set against a cloudy sky, adding a somber atmosphere to the contrast between the homes and the construction site.