Joseph Francis Plaskett

Artist Bio: Joseph Francis Plaskett (1918-1914)

Joseph (Joe) Francis Plaskett is a major figure on the Canadian art scene. He was born in New Westminster, BC in 1918. He studied at the University of British Columbia in 1939, and upon completion of teachers’ college at UBC, taught in private and public schools. He also studied art at the Vancouver School of Art under Jack Shadbolt and BC Binning, as well as under A.Y. Jackson at the Banff School. He continued his studies at the California School of Fine Art in San Francisco under Clyfford Still, and later with the noted abstract artist Hans Hoffman in New York and Provincetown. In 1947 he was appointed Principal of the Winnipeg Art School. For many years, Plaskett lived and painted in Paris, although he exhibited regularly in Canada. After twice returning to Canada to teach, it was in 1957 that he was able to make Paris his home for the next half-century. Since 2001, he has made his home in Suffolk, England.

In 2004, Joe established the Plaskett Foundation. In 2001, he was awarded The Order of Canada for excellence in the field of visual art. He is also known for the hosting and support of Canadian artists living and making their practice in Europe and has been considered an unofficial Ambassador for Canada in Paris. Since the 1940s, he has had over 65 solo and group exhibitions, with work in major public, private and corporate collections, including the National Gallery of Canada.