Phil R. White
Encyclopedia
Phil R. White is a Canadian artist and sculptor who holds the position of Dominion Sculptor of Canada. He is primarily a figurative and architectural sculptor and carver, and works in stone, wood, and bronze.
, Ontario, in 1963, White was raised in artistic environment and encouraged to be creative. He began carving wood and sculpting at very early age and was greatly inspired by his grandfather, a master stonemason and woodcarver, and also by frequent family trips to British Columbia, where he was exposed to the sculpture of the Haida.
White began selling his work at age 17 in commercial art galleries in Peterborough area, then later in Toronto, and participated in several group shows at Whetung Gallery and Art Loft Gallery from 1982 to 1986.
He studied Art Conservation Techniques at Sir Sandford Fleming College and the Canadian Conservation Institute from 1985-1988 where he studied art history, conservation and restoration of historical artifacts, conservation theory, metal and woodworking techniques, and traditional finishes.
in Ottawa
. While there, he continued to create sculptures and decorative arts for exhibits and presentations. The highlights of his work at the museums are: a series of sculptures in wood, which were subsequently exhibited at the museum from 1989-2000, the 1998 installation of 18 sphinxes on the courtyard of Canadian Museum of Civilization for the Mysteries of Egypt exhibit, , commemorating the anniversary of the Canadian Woman’s Army Corps, and a bronze sculpture of a Cold-War era fighter pilot entitled “QRA scramble”. This sculpture was based on photos of Paul Manson, former Chief of Defence Staff, and is currently on exhibit in the Canadian War Museum
’s permanent galleries.
After working on a design for the coat of arms for the Canadian War Museum
,he developed a keen interest in heraldic art and sculpture, resulting in commissions for heraldic carving for Rideau Hall, The Canadian Heraldic Authority, The Canadian Bar Association, and The Canadian Nurses Association.
.
Pearson designed the Centre Block with the intention that future generations of sculptors would create carvings and sculptures from blocks of stone on the inside of the building. The Dominion Sculptor oversees that work, in collaboration with the offices of the Speakers of the House of Commons and the Senate.
More than 25 different types of stone and marble were used in the building’s construction; however, much of the exterior carving is done in Tyndall
limestone from Manitoba
, and Indiana
limestone. Inside, the history and traditions of Canada are reflected in many stone carvings which are the result of the ongoing, intermittent work of over 60 sculptors and carvers since 1916.
Some of the projects White has undertaken since 2006 have been a portrait of HRH Queen Elizabeth II in bronze for the House of Commons and a portrait of the Queen, in stone, for the Senate Foyer in 2010, as well as a series of carved oak panels depicting insignia of the Canadian Forces, White has also created two bronze busts of Sir Sandford Fleming for the lobbies of Fleming College in Peterborough Ontario, and Lindsay Ontario, and a plaster bust of Fleming for the Haliburton School of the Arts.
Early influence
Born in PeterboroughPeterborough
Peterborough is a cathedral city and unitary authority area in the East of England, with an estimated population of in June 2007. For ceremonial purposes it is in the county of Cambridgeshire. Situated north of London, the city stands on the River Nene which flows into the North Sea...
, Ontario, in 1963, White was raised in artistic environment and encouraged to be creative. He began carving wood and sculpting at very early age and was greatly inspired by his grandfather, a master stonemason and woodcarver, and also by frequent family trips to British Columbia, where he was exposed to the sculpture of the Haida.
White began selling his work at age 17 in commercial art galleries in Peterborough area, then later in Toronto, and participated in several group shows at Whetung Gallery and Art Loft Gallery from 1982 to 1986.
He studied Art Conservation Techniques at Sir Sandford Fleming College and the Canadian Conservation Institute from 1985-1988 where he studied art history, conservation and restoration of historical artifacts, conservation theory, metal and woodworking techniques, and traditional finishes.
Career
After Graduating from Fleming College, he went on to a career in conservation and museum collection management with both the Canadian War Museum and the Canadian Museum of CivilizationCanadian Museum of Civilization
The Canadian Museum of Civilization is Canada's national museum of human history and the most popular and most-visited museum in Canada....
in Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
. While there, he continued to create sculptures and decorative arts for exhibits and presentations. The highlights of his work at the museums are: a series of sculptures in wood, which were subsequently exhibited at the museum from 1989-2000, the 1998 installation of 18 sphinxes on the courtyard of Canadian Museum of Civilization for the Mysteries of Egypt exhibit, , commemorating the anniversary of the Canadian Woman’s Army Corps, and a bronze sculpture of a Cold-War era fighter pilot entitled “QRA scramble”. This sculpture was based on photos of Paul Manson, former Chief of Defence Staff, and is currently on exhibit in the Canadian War Museum
Canadian War Museum
The Canadian War Museum is Canada’s national museum of military history. Located in Ottawa, Ontario, the museum covers all facets of Canada’s military past, from the first recorded instances of death by armed violence in Canadian history several thousand years ago to the country’s most recent...
’s permanent galleries.
After working on a design for the coat of arms for the Canadian War Museum
Canadian War Museum
The Canadian War Museum is Canada’s national museum of military history. Located in Ottawa, Ontario, the museum covers all facets of Canada’s military past, from the first recorded instances of death by armed violence in Canadian history several thousand years ago to the country’s most recent...
,he developed a keen interest in heraldic art and sculpture, resulting in commissions for heraldic carving for Rideau Hall, The Canadian Heraldic Authority, The Canadian Bar Association, and The Canadian Nurses Association.
.
Dominion Sculptor
White applied to the national competition for the position Dominion Sculptor and was appointed in 2006 . The Department of Public Works created the position of an official sculptor in 1936 to carry out the decorative work planned by John Pearson, the architect of Parliament Hill’s Centre Block, which was rebuilt after fire destroyed the original building in 1916.Pearson designed the Centre Block with the intention that future generations of sculptors would create carvings and sculptures from blocks of stone on the inside of the building. The Dominion Sculptor oversees that work, in collaboration with the offices of the Speakers of the House of Commons and the Senate.
More than 25 different types of stone and marble were used in the building’s construction; however, much of the exterior carving is done in Tyndall
Tyndall
Tyndall is the name of an English family taken from the land they held as tenants in chief of the Kings of England and Scotland in the 11th, 12th and 13th centuries: Tynedale, or the valley of the Tyne, in Northumberland...
limestone from Manitoba
Manitoba
Manitoba is a Canadian prairie province with an area of . The province has over 110,000 lakes and has a largely continental climate because of its flat topography. Agriculture, mostly concentrated in the fertile southern and western parts of the province, is vital to the province's economy; other...
, and Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
limestone. Inside, the history and traditions of Canada are reflected in many stone carvings which are the result of the ongoing, intermittent work of over 60 sculptors and carvers since 1916.
Some of the projects White has undertaken since 2006 have been a portrait of HRH Queen Elizabeth II in bronze for the House of Commons and a portrait of the Queen, in stone, for the Senate Foyer in 2010, as well as a series of carved oak panels depicting insignia of the Canadian Forces, White has also created two bronze busts of Sir Sandford Fleming for the lobbies of Fleming College in Peterborough Ontario, and Lindsay Ontario, and a plaster bust of Fleming for the Haliburton School of the Arts.