John Scott (1950-2022) came to prominence in Toronto in the 1980s. He has one of the most distinctive aesthetics in contemporary Canadian art. Influenced by both social activism and rock'n'roll, Scott's body of work displays a combination of machismo, anxiety, and rebellion. Scott has few peers in Canada, perhaps the closest parallel could be found in the work of Philip Guston, where vague figuration approaches abstraction. Scott explored a consistent tension between cartoon-like naiveté and blunt anarchism throughout his art-making. His raw, visceral aesthetic often features humanoid characters that resemble either rabbits or angels. The Bunny Man is a recurring character from Scott's oeuvre, and "Split Hare" is a paradigm of his work. Both vulnerable and defiant, this figure stares out at the viewer, with hands on a table. Set against a deep, dark background, the image prompts questioning into what is truly happening. In 2000, Scott was awarded the inaugural Governor General’s Award in Visual Arts and Media. Today, the artist's work is represented in major collections across North America including the Art Gallery of Ontario, the National Gallery of Canada (Ottawa), the MoMa (New York), among others. Questions about this piece? Contact us, call +1.416.704.1720, or visit our Toronto Gallery. "Split Hare" Canada, 2008 Mixed media on paper Signed by artist on gallery label, verso Titled on face, bottom right 18"H 18"W (work) 23"H 23"W (framed) Very good condition Note: price is $6,500 CAD
