Item AAAB1796 - Max Maynard interview : [Reimer, 1978]

CALL NUMBER: T1642:0002 - 0003 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Discussion of 1930s sketch books RECORDED: Victoria (B.C.), 1978-11 SUMMARY: Mr. Maynard discusses his sketchbooks from the 1930s: how he began these sketchbooks in 1932, the year of his marriage to Evelyn Wheeler; the influence of the Group of Seven on his work- Hauser's book, exhibition at Vancouver Art Gallery; goals and aims of the Group of Seven; interest in nature dating back to childhood, and work of Emily Carr; writing poems on assigned topics with Roy Daniels. Maynard talks about his time in Sussex in southern England, and his experience with nature there. Maynard says he often painted earlier sketches in waves of nostalgia for B.C. while living elsewhere. Maynard discusses various sketches and what was going on when he was completing them. CALL NUMBER: T1642:0004 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Interview with Max Maynard RECORDED: Victoria (B.C.), 1978-11 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Maynard discusses personal and family background: born December 30th, 1903 in southern India; father's involvement with organizing the Indian village- schools, clinics; learning Tamil as a child; father and mother both part of Salvation Army attempt (led by General Booth) to Christianize India; parents marry and become involved with Plymouth Brethren in another part of India; his father's sisters and their influence on his life. Maynard starts painting at age 8 or 9. Further discusses his aunts, paternal grandfather and grandmother, father's time in India (40 years). Maynard and family came to Canada in about 1912. Came to Victoria because of a correspondent of his mother's. Settled in Oaklands district; rural area at that time. Father returned to India for a time after the family was in Victoria. Discusses his father's firm hand in ruling the Indians in India. TRACK 2: Further discusses his father's dealing with Indians in the village in India of which he was in charge; his father's attitudes towards India and its inhabitants. Describes neighbouring family on Shakespeare Street, the Brands, from Scotland: both Brand parents died, so Maynard's parents had to take in 2 of their 5 children. Discusses family memories: difference between his Victorian aunts and cold but intelligent mother; effect of separation due to schooling on his siblings; brother Theodore's conversion to Catholicism and his mother's distress over this. Discusses his schooling career: Grey's School in Conoor, India; King Charles School, England; George Jay, Oaklands, Victoria; Oaklands school, Victoria; Victoria High School; normal school; UBC. Took a couple of years off in high school to do odd jobs, including being a cowboy in central B.C. Meeting Ira Dilworth at Victoria High School. CALL NUMBER: T1642:0005 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Interview with Max Maynard RECORDED: Victoria (B.C.), 1978-11 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Falling out with Ira Dilworth over T.S. Eliot's "Wasteland" and disagreement over work of Emily Carr. (Maynard liked Carr's work well before Dilworth saw the value in it). TRACK 2: Mr. Maynard discusses the role of organized religion in his life: going to church, morning prayers; Bible class. Effect of organized religion on his later life: became familiar with philosophic ideas; reading of religious works on Sundays. Talks about his father's role in the Plymouth Brethren congregation in Victoria. Ira Dilworth as a teacher, and the influence of Dilworth on his life. CALL NUMBER: T1642:0006 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Interview with Max Maynard RECORDED: Victoria (B.C.), 1978-11 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Going to the B.C. Normal School to become an elementary school teacher. First job as a vice-principal in Rutland (a small town in the Okanagan Valley): anecdotes about living and social conditions there. No drawings in Rutland, or at Normal School, or even at high school (one drawing class though). Drew the picture on the front of the Camosun magazine as its editor when he was in his final year at high school. After Rutland, Maynard left teaching and did a variety of labouring jobs: during this time, he had a sort of 'vision' that he would be an artist one day. Wanted to both write and paint. First exhibition of Maynard's work at Island Arts and Crafts Show in 1928. Discusses relationship with Emily Carr: cordial at first, deteriorates after Maynard offers criticism of Carr's work. Describes Emily Carr's studio and personality. TRACK 2: More on Emily Carr: not an intellectual or lover of modern art; typical evening at Emily Carr's; wife Evelyn's relationship with Emily Carr; Carr's reluctance to take criticism; Carr's accusation that Maynard copied or stole her ideas; termination of friendship when Maynard was director of Vancouver Art Gallery; sketching with Carr in Metchosin; Carr's relationships with members of the Group of Seven, particularly Lawren Harris; Carr's understanding of nature. Maynard discusses Emily Carr's "gushing sentimentality" in writing and even painting. CALL NUMBER: T1642:0007 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Interview with Max Maynard RECORDED: Victoria (B.C.), 1978-11 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Maynard discusses the chronology of his life after his year at Rutland. Talks about Victoria College year, 1926-7: friendships from this time (Jack Shadbolt, John Macdonald, Sidney Pettit;); getting to know professor Jeanette Cann; experiences going to school in a castle (Victoria College was in Craigdarroch Castle at this time); living on Caledonia Avenue during this time with family; acquaintance with Edith Hembroff. Discusses further his friends from this time period. Teaching at Lampson Street School: embarrassed to be teaching grade 3. TRACK 2: More on grade 3 class at Lampson Street School: staying with them for three years; later meeting up with one of his students; letting children sketch outdoors; taking the class swimming at Crystal Gardens. Racial discrimination. Going to UBC in 1935-37 to finish his BA which he started while a teacher at Lampson Street: interest in 18th century literature and philosophy. Sketching Point Grey area while at UBC. Painting and studio space.