Previous Artist   |  Next Artist

Susan Jean Whyte - Painter

"Mother had household help a lot of the time. You used to bring out girls from the old country, Scottish and Irish girls mostly. Some organization in the east sponsored it. You paid their fare out and then they worked it out for you. As a rule, they were a very nice class of girls. Probably too many in the family at home; they'd decided to see if they could better themselves out here."

THE LAST BEST WEST - Eliane Leslau Silverman

Placing a portrait of a person from the turn of the twentieth century into the landscape of Western Canada, I want people to imagine this person's story. What emotions did this person feel looking at this landscape for the first time. There are such diverse stories ranging from complete hopelessness to pure joy. Some individuals came with great plans for their future and their children's future. Others were brought here against their will, leaving family, friends and security behind.

My reference for the immigrants' portraits is from my personal collection of antique photographic postcards. At the turn of the century, these postcards were used as a form of keeping in touch, sent through the mail to relatives and friends back in the old country. I like these old portraits, as the people appear very calm and austere. The early Canadians are not all smiles and casual as seen in today's snapshots. We often perceive the pioneer life as being more serious and less joyous than ours; but was that the case?

Their formality may give us false impressions of their lives. I find these photographs in antique stores, so the people are all unfamiliar to me. I love that part about the images; I get to make up my own version of their stories. I also love to paint the possessions that the immigrants brought with them, small 'pieces of home'.