Professor Foss, an expert on Canadian art, delivered a fascinating lecture entitled ‘Defining Modern Canada: Art and National Identity in the Twentieth Century’ at the institute last week on 22nd May 2015.
The rapt audience heard Prof Foss discuss the three principal aspects of Canadian art during the first half of the twentieth century: images of Canada’s participation in the First World War; the development of the wilderness landscape as a symbol of the country; and the representation of First Nations themes in the art of Emily Carr (1871-1945).
Opening proceedings, Dr Richard Hayes, Head of the School of Humanities, welcomed Prof Foss and Mr Jason Murphy, Deputy Mayor of Waterford City and County Council to the Institute. Mr Murphy officially opened the lecture and John Maher, lecturer in the School of Business, introduced the speaker to the 40 strong crowd.
Kieran Cronin, Developmental Librarian at the institute’s Luke Wadding library said, "Professor Foss' lecture went above and beyond what we anticipated and for that we truly thank him. I must also convey the very positive feedback from attendees who gained so much from the experience.''
Professor Foss is the current Craig Dobbin Professor of Canadian Studies at UCD as well as the Director of the School for Studies in Art and Culture at Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada. Professor Foss is an expert in nineteenth and twentieth centuries’ Canadian art. He is a leading academic and practitioner in this field and he continues to serve as Chair of the Advisory Board of the Journal of Canadian Art History and co-editor of RACAR: Revue d’art canadien / Canadian Art Review.
The lecture was organised by the Centre for Newfoundland and Labrador Studies at WIT.
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