Made in British Columbia : Eight Ways of Making Culture

Is there such a thing as British Columbia culture, and if so, is there anything special about it? This is the broad question Dr. Maria Tippett answers in this work with an assured "yes!" To prove her point she looks at the careers of eight ground-breaking cultural producers in the fields of painting, aboriginal art, architecture, writing, theatre and music. The eight creative figures profiled in __Made in British Columbia__ are not just distinguished artists who made an enduring mark on Canadian culture during the twentieth century. They are unique artists whose work is intimately interwoven with British Columbia's identity. Emily Carr portrayed BC's coastal landscape in a manner as unique as her lifestyle. Bill Reid's carvings, jewellery and sculpture stand as a contemporary interpretation of his reclaimed Haida heritage. The name Francis Rattenbury is less known than The Empress Hotel in Victoria, one of many prominent BC buildings he designed, while Arthur Erickson's modern architectural contributions are recognized worldwide. Martin Allerdale Grainger's experience in the BC woods in the early days of hand-logging inspired him to write one of the undisputed classics of BC fiction, __Woodsmen of the West__. Jean Coulthard struggled for respect as a female composer during the 1920s and 1930s in British Columbia but eventually proved her extraordinary musical talents internationally. George Woodcock left Britain in 1949 to forge his career as an influential author, editor, mentor and tireless promoter of literary scholarship in the province, while playwright George Ryga, the son of Ukrainian immigrants, exposed the anguish and reality of life for Native women in our cities with his 1967 play, __The Ecstasy of Rita Joe.__ Featuring images of the artists and their works, __Made in British Columbia__ presents a history of the treasures found in our galleries, concert halls, theatres, museums, libraries and streetscapes, and explores the legacy of a cultural tradition as unique as the place that nurtured it. Foreword / By Tom Berger -- The Imperial Garden Of Eden: Francis Mawson Rattenbury (1867-1935) -- Butchering The Garden Of Eden: Martin Allerdale Grainger (1874-1941) -- The Life Of The Trees, Emily Carr's Forest: Emily Carr (1871-1945) -- Defining The Canon, The Self-made Man Of Letters: George Woodcock (1912-1995) -- Social Commentator Or Social Rebel?: George Ryga (1932-1987) -- Music Is My Life: Jean Coulthard (1908-2000) -- A Contested Reputation: Bill Reid (1920-1998) -- Beyond Provincialism: Arthur Erickson (1924-2009). Maria Tippett. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Issued Also In Electronic Format.