Item T3796:0001 - 0004 - Eric Freifeld interview

CALL NUMBER: T3796:0001 RECORDED: Toronto (Ont.), 1979-08 SUMMARY: Born in Russia in 1919, of Jewish decent; persecution resulting from the revolution; emigrated to Edmonton, Alberta in 1924 with sponsorship from uncle; beginning interests in art through encouragemen;t by early teachers; Jewish upbringing in Edmonton and failure at high school art education class; influenced by works of Wilson Steer, David Coy and other English watercolour painters; winning of Car;negie scholarship to Banff School of Fine Arts in 1936/37. Lack of success due to individualist tendencies; first individual showing in Edmonton; travels to England in 1938 via cattle trains, hitchhi;king and finally a cattle boat. Short stay beforehand in Montreal with a madam of a local whorehouse; landing in Glasgow, then travels and stay in London.; CALL NUMBER: T3796:0002 RECORDED: Toronto (Ont.), 1979-08 SUMMARY: Life in London; painting and sketching around the city; underground painting and socializing in Soho; showing with the prestigious New English Art Club; quick rise to prominence within the art world; ;sponsorship by a major gallery for a trip to southern France; painted cityscapes in France's main centres; returned to England, then back to Canada; obtained and developed a great knowledge of art and; artists of the time. 1940 show at the Vancouver Art Gallery and a short stay in Vancouver; return to Edmonton; lecture circuits; pranks and practical jokes while lecturing to keep listeners attentio;n; Work as a shoe salesman in Edmonton, enlistment in the army; army tales and anecdotes; trip to New York for courses in anatomy and figure sketching for a two year stay; teaching and instruction at; the Ontario College of Art.; CALL NUMBER: T3796:0003 RECORDED: Toronto (Ont.), 1979-08 SUMMARY: See file for a list of paintings commented upon by the artist.; CALL NUMBER: T3796:0004 RECORDED: Toronto (Ont.), 1979-08 SUMMARY: See file for a list of paintings commented upon by the artist.;