The McMaster Museum of Art proudly presents a memorial / retrospective exhibition of work by the artist, and much-loved member of our McMaster community, Graham Todd (1946-2013).

For nearly 30 years Graham Todd (1946-2013) taught as a Professor in McMaster’s Studio Art programme, and continued his own active studio practice, exhibiting his sculptural work in Canada and internationally in Spain, Mexico, and the USA. Graham’s work can be found in private and public collections around the world.

This memorial exhibition offers an overview from 1982 to the last untitled works in 2013, being shown for the first time. The twenty sculptural works, all from Graham’s Estate, range in scale from his intimate Japanese series done in 1992, to a 220 cm high tower assemblage done in 1996. One connective tissue is the inspiration from travels around the world. In a 2008 exhibition publication, Graham touched on this aspect of his practice:

Influences flit like illusive peripheral shadows evading capture. Stimulants race ahead, observations distill and crystallize…are they stories or poems?

He also described his approach to making:

“I build objects. Clay is my ink, shapes are my letters, form is my syntax, and structure is my synopsis. My works have a beginning, middle and an end.”

Graham Todd: Imaginary Spaces will also include examples of his sketchbooks and Chris Ward’s video interview with the artist, done in 2012.

The exhibition runs 11 September 2014 – 6 May 2015 in our 4th floor Tomlinson Gallery.