Christopher Pratt (1935-2022) is one of Canada’s most prolific and recognizable Maritime artists. 

Born in St. John's, Pratt has dedicated the majority of his artistic practice to depicting scenes from the east coast, both personal and imaginary, in his distinct and cool version of realism. 

He achieved early artistic encouragement and success while studying pre-engineering and pre-medicine at Mount Allison University in Sackville, New Brunswick. There, he showed his work to professors Lawren P. Harris and Alex Colville who encouraged him to embrace fine art.  

By the late 1950s, Pratt chose to seriously pursue the arts and attended the Glasgow School of Art from 1957-59. Pratt soon returned to Canada and Mount Allison University to complete his Bachelor of Fine Arts alongside his wife, Mary West.  

In 1961 Pratt accepted a curatorial position at the Memorial University Art Gallery in St. John’s. Since then, he has pursued a number of teaching and curatorial positions. In 1980, he even designed Newfoundland and Labrador’s provincial flag.

However, an unexpected early professional experience, a summer job as a construction surveyor, had a major impact on Pratt's aesthetic. There, he learned to translate his training in drafting precise measurements into his definitive linear and graphic style. One of the most frequent motifs in Pratt's oeuvre is the combination of architectural elements contrasted with an austere skyline. 

Summer on The South Side was completed in 1987, a year after his major traveling exhibition made the rounds at museums across Canada. It is a fine example of his aesthetic, but a rare image depicting summer. 

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"Summer on the South Side"

Canada, 1987

Serigraph

Signed, titled, and numbered Artist Proof by the artist.

33.5"W 15"H (image)

42.5"W 24"H (framed)

Framed with museum glass. 

Excellent condition.