Painted By My Hand: Works from the Collection of Philip Aziz
June 3-13, 2024

Satellite Project Space
121 Dundas St, London, ON
Wednesday-Friday 2-7pm, Saturday 12-5pm

Opening Reception: June 6th, 7-9pm

Painted By My Hand: Works from the Collection of Philip Aziz is an exhibition of paintings, lithographs and photographs from personal collection of London-based artist Philip Aziz (1923 – 2009). Aziz was renowned for his masterful works that were exhibited in London, Toronto and New York and are part of institutional and private collections around the world. The works in this show offer a retrospective look at Aziz’s career, including religious works, portraits and abstract pieces. The works display Aziz’s skill in painting with egg tempera, a historic technique that predates oil painting and was used by Renaissance artists as well as icon painters. Egg tempera creates brilliance and depth of colours, but it is a difficult technique to master. Aziz’s skill in egg tempera is seen in his religious paintings and portraits, but it even more apparent in his larger abstract pieces where large blocks of colour dominate. Aziz’s meticulous attention to detail is evident across his oeuvre as he often included gold leaf and silver in his works, which added unique richness and depth to his works. Early pieces reflect his interest in liturgical and devotional art, which drew on the rich tradition of Christian art and Orthodox icons. Aziz’s art shifted towards the abstract, focusing on the essence of natural forms. Using simple geometric shapes across multiple works, these abstract pieces invite the viewer to contemplate spiritual themes represented by organic forms. The artworks in this show are a culmination of a career that spanned over 50 years. Painted By My Hand not only highlights the evolution of Aziz’s artistic style but also provides an insight into his creative process and the development of his distinctive aesthetic. The exhibition serves as a testament to Aziz’s enduring legacy and his
contribution to the art world, celebrating a career that seamlessly blends traditional techniques with contemporary motifs.

Curators: Dr. Cody Barteet and Natalie Scola

Image 1: Philip Aziz, Capricorn, 1975, 36” x 36”, egg tempera on gesso panel
Image 2: Philip Aziz, Life Cycle of Dandelion #13, 1968, 36” x 50”, egg tempera on gesso panel