Philip Aziz
Encyclopedia
Philip J.A.F. Aziz was a Canadian
artist
. He lived in London, Ontario
, and was of Lebanese
Greek Orthodox
descent. He was recognized for his work in the technique of egg tempera-en-gesso
panel, a method popular during the Renaissance
.
, before moving to London, Ontario
, at an early age.
He grew up in old South London and attended H.B. Beal Secondary School, enrolling in its arts program. Aziz graduated from Yale University
with a Master of Fine Arts
degree in 1949. He next travelled the world, living alternately in New York City
and London, Ontario, where he resided in his designated heritage home, which hosted his studio and art gallery.
From 1947 to 1949 Aziz was an art instructor at Yale University and a lecturer at various colleges and museums throughout Canada and the United States. From 1950 to 1955, Aziz lectured at the University of Western Ontario
(UWO), teaching art and art history
as well as helping to expand the collection at UWO's McIntosh Gallery. He was UWO's first official artist in residence
in 1953. In 1972 and 1976, Aziz was the artist in residence and lecturer at the Aspen Institute for Humanistic Studies
in Aspen, Colorado
.
Aziz painted commissioned portraits of Ontario's Progressive Conservative Premier the Honourable John Robarts
, Governor-General Georges Vanier
and Mrs. Vanier, noted Canadian photographer Yousuf Karsh
, and mezzo-soprano opera star Risë Stevens
.
In the late 1950s Aziz was commissioned by John Christopher Cody, London's seventh Catholic bishop, to transform the former Sacred Heart Chapel in London's St. Peter's Basilica into Christ the King Chapel and design the interior of the Lady Chapel.
in London, and developed a plan for the redevelopment of the river forks, which attracted support and attention from Premier John Robarts, then-London South MPP John White, author Pierre Berton
, and TV and radio station owner/ newspaper publisher Walter J. Blackburn. Aziz's redevelopment plan lost by one vote at London City Council, but many of his ideas were implemented in 2005–2006, with the completion of the multi-staged, multi-million-dollar Forks-of-the-Thames Project.
Aziz established the Philip Aziz Foundation of Art, a non-profit charity in London, to expand his gallery, built in 1967 as his Canadian Centennial project.
. The unveiling occurred during an Alumni Western event, a gala attended by several hundred University of Western Ontario alumni, and members of the local media.
On September 11, 2006, in council chambers at city hall and on behalf of the City of London, Aziz presented Academy Award-winning screenwriter / filmmaker Paul Haggis
with his painting Celestial City, completed in 1974. The day had been named Paul Haggis Day, and the city announced that a future park in southwest London would be named in Haggis's honour.
On October 21, 2006, during the Islamic Centre of Southwestern Ontario's annual feast following the holy month of Ramadan
, Aziz unveiled his egg tempera-on-gesso-panel and 24-karat gold leaf work titled the Tree of Lebanon, completed as a humanitarian fundraiser for relief efforts in Lebanon
. The painting is mounted on a five by three foot panel of Lebanese cedar. Five hundred full-size colour prints signed by Aziz were sold for $1,000 each. The painting was to be displayed at UN headquarters in New York City, after which it was to hang in the presidential palace in Lebanon.
On November 29, 2006, the London International Airport unveiled Aziz's twelve by seven foot egg tempera painting Epilogue, completed in 1976. Aziz had agreed to loan the painting to the airport for three years.
and Democratic
national conventions. He took a side trip to Texas
, where then-Governor John Smith made him an honorary Admiral
in the Texas Navy
.
On October 20, 2005, the London Free Press
published two special sections called 150 People Who Define London. Mr. Aziz was included in at No. 30.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
artist
Artist
An artist is a person engaged in one or more of any of a broad spectrum of activities related to creating art, practicing the arts and/or demonstrating an art. The common usage in both everyday speech and academic discourse is a practitioner in the visual arts only...
. He lived in London, Ontario
London, Ontario
London is a city in Southwestern Ontario, Canada, situated along the Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. The city has a population of 352,395, and the metropolitan area has a population of 457,720, according to the 2006 Canadian census; the metro population in 2009 was estimated at 489,274. The city...
, and was of Lebanese
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
Greek Orthodox
Eastern Orthodox Church
The Orthodox Church, officially called the Orthodox Catholic Church and commonly referred to as the Eastern Orthodox Church, is the second largest Christian denomination in the world, with an estimated 300 million adherents mainly in the countries of Belarus, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Georgia, Greece,...
descent. He was recognized for his work in the technique of egg tempera-en-gesso
Gesso
Gesso is a white paint mixture consisting of a binder mixed with chalk, gypsum, pigment, or any combination of these...
panel, a method popular during the Renaissance
Renaissance
The Renaissance was a cultural movement that spanned roughly the 14th to the 17th century, beginning in Italy in the Late Middle Ages and later spreading to the rest of Europe. The term is also used more loosely to refer to the historical era, but since the changes of the Renaissance were not...
.
Early years
Aziz was born in St. Thomas, OntarioSt. Thomas, Ontario
St. Thomas is a city in southern , Ontario, Canada. It is the seat for Elgin County and gained its city charter on March 4, 1881.-History:...
, before moving to London, Ontario
London, Ontario
London is a city in Southwestern Ontario, Canada, situated along the Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. The city has a population of 352,395, and the metropolitan area has a population of 457,720, according to the 2006 Canadian census; the metro population in 2009 was estimated at 489,274. The city...
, at an early age.
He grew up in old South London and attended H.B. Beal Secondary School, enrolling in its arts program. Aziz graduated from Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
with a Master of Fine Arts
Master of Fine Arts
A Master of Fine Arts is a graduate degree typically requiring 2–3 years of postgraduate study beyond the bachelor's degree , although the term of study will vary by country or by university. The MFA is usually awarded in visual arts, creative writing, filmmaking, dance, or theatre/performing arts...
degree in 1949. He next travelled the world, living alternately in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and London, Ontario, where he resided in his designated heritage home, which hosted his studio and art gallery.
From 1947 to 1949 Aziz was an art instructor at Yale University and a lecturer at various colleges and museums throughout Canada and the United States. From 1950 to 1955, Aziz lectured at the University of Western Ontario
University of Western Ontario
The University of Western Ontario is a public research university located in London, Ontario, Canada. The university's main campus covers of land, with the Thames River cutting through the eastern portion of the main campus. Western administers its programs through 12 different faculties and...
(UWO), teaching art and art history
Art history
Art history has historically been understood as the academic study of objects of art in their historical development and stylistic contexts, i.e. genre, design, format, and style...
as well as helping to expand the collection at UWO's McIntosh Gallery. He was UWO's first official artist in residence
Artist in residence
Artist-in-residence programs and other residency opportunities allow visiting artists to stay and work so that they may apply singular focus to their art practice....
in 1953. In 1972 and 1976, Aziz was the artist in residence and lecturer at the Aspen Institute for Humanistic Studies
Aspen Institute
The Aspen Institute is an international nonprofit organization founded in 1950 as the Aspen Institute of Humanistic Studies. The organization is dedicated to "fostering enlightened leadership, the appreciation of timeless ideas and values, and open-minded dialogue on contemporary issues." The...
in Aspen, Colorado
Aspen, Colorado
The City of Aspen is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and the most populous city of Pitkin County, Colorado, United States. The United States Census Bureau estimates that the city population was 5,804 in 2005...
.
Aziz painted commissioned portraits of Ontario's Progressive Conservative Premier the Honourable John Robarts
John Robarts
John Parmenter Robarts, PC, CC, QC was a Canadian lawyer and statesman, and the 17th Premier of Ontario.-Early life:...
, Governor-General Georges Vanier
Georges Vanier
Major-General Georges-Philéas Vanier was a Canadian soldier and diplomat who served as Governor General of Canada, the 19th since Canadian Confederation....
and Mrs. Vanier, noted Canadian photographer Yousuf Karsh
Yousuf Karsh
Yousuf Karsh, CC was a Canadian photographer of Armenian heritage, and one of the most famous and accomplished portrait photographers of all time.-Biography:...
, and mezzo-soprano opera star Risë Stevens
Risë Stevens
Risë Stevens is a retired American operatic mezzo-soprano.-Professional life:Stevens studied at New York's Juilliard School for three years. She went to Vienna, where she was trained by Marie Gutheil-Schoder and Herbert Graf. She made her début as Mignon in Prague in 1936 and stayed there until...
.
In the late 1950s Aziz was commissioned by John Christopher Cody, London's seventh Catholic bishop, to transform the former Sacred Heart Chapel in London's St. Peter's Basilica into Christ the King Chapel and design the interior of the Lady Chapel.
Later years
In the early 1970s Aziz successfully fought for the retention and refurbishment of the historic old Court House and Gaol at the Forks of the Thames RiverThames River (Ontario)
The Thames River is located in southwestern Ontario, Canada.The Thames flows west through southwestern Ontario, through the cities of Woodstock, London and Chatham to Lighthouse Cove on Lake St. Clair...
in London, and developed a plan for the redevelopment of the river forks, which attracted support and attention from Premier John Robarts, then-London South MPP John White, author Pierre Berton
Pierre Berton
Pierre Francis de Marigny Berton, was a noted Canadian author of non-fiction, especially Canadiana and Canadian history, and was a well-known television personality and journalist....
, and TV and radio station owner/ newspaper publisher Walter J. Blackburn. Aziz's redevelopment plan lost by one vote at London City Council, but many of his ideas were implemented in 2005–2006, with the completion of the multi-staged, multi-million-dollar Forks-of-the-Thames Project.
Aziz established the Philip Aziz Foundation of Art, a non-profit charity in London, to expand his gallery, built in 1967 as his Canadian Centennial project.
2000s
On June 2, 2006, at Museum London, Aziz unveiled his egg termpera-en-gesso painting Follow Me, a tribute to the late Pope John Paul IIPope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
. The unveiling occurred during an Alumni Western event, a gala attended by several hundred University of Western Ontario alumni, and members of the local media.
On September 11, 2006, in council chambers at city hall and on behalf of the City of London, Aziz presented Academy Award-winning screenwriter / filmmaker Paul Haggis
Paul Haggis
Paul Edward Haggis is a Canadian screenwriter, producer, and director. He spent his early career producing and directing various American and Canadian television network series.-Early life and education:...
with his painting Celestial City, completed in 1974. The day had been named Paul Haggis Day, and the city announced that a future park in southwest London would be named in Haggis's honour.
On October 21, 2006, during the Islamic Centre of Southwestern Ontario's annual feast following the holy month of Ramadan
Ramadan
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which lasts 29 or 30 days. It is the Islamic month of fasting, in which participating Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, smoking and sex during daylight hours and is intended to teach Muslims about patience, spirituality, humility and...
, Aziz unveiled his egg tempera-on-gesso-panel and 24-karat gold leaf work titled the Tree of Lebanon, completed as a humanitarian fundraiser for relief efforts in Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
. The painting is mounted on a five by three foot panel of Lebanese cedar. Five hundred full-size colour prints signed by Aziz were sold for $1,000 each. The painting was to be displayed at UN headquarters in New York City, after which it was to hang in the presidential palace in Lebanon.
On November 29, 2006, the London International Airport unveiled Aziz's twelve by seven foot egg tempera painting Epilogue, completed in 1976. Aziz had agreed to loan the painting to the airport for three years.
Awards and honours
In 1968 Aziz was invited to the RepublicanRepublican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
and Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
national conventions. He took a side trip to Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, where then-Governor John Smith made him an honorary Admiral
Admiral
Admiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks, of the highest naval officers. It is usually considered a full admiral and above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet . It is usually abbreviated to "Adm" or "ADM"...
in the Texas Navy
Texas Navy
The Texas Navy was the official navy of the Republic of Texas. Two Texas Navies were naval fighting forces. There is a “Third and Honorary” Texas Navy, in which officers are commissioned by the Governor of Texas as Admirals, Commanders and Lieutenants....
.
On October 20, 2005, the London Free Press
London Free Press
The London Free Press is a daily newspaper based in London, Ontario, Canada.The London Free Press began as the Canadian Free Press, founded by William Sutherland in 1847. It first began printing as a weekly newspaper in 1849. In 1852, it was purchased for $500 by Josiah Blackburn, who renamed it...
published two special sections called 150 People Who Define London. Mr. Aziz was included in at No. 30.