"For me, what remains the most attractive aspect of the still life genre is its inherent felicity in the democratic presentation and juxtaposition of big things along with little things and big ideas with little ones. Moreover, it seems to be the perfect visual analogy for our personal, inner lives: the search for meaning in the details, for the universal in the individual and the magnificent in the modest."

From the Essay: Some Thoughts on Still Life: Big and Little

- Phil Richards, 2019

On Saturday, April 27th, Mira Godard Gallery is pleased to open an exhibition of new paintings by PHIL RICHARDS. Over the last number of years RICHARDS has completed numerous commissions and this is his first solo show since 2006. The artist will be in attendance.

PHIL RICHARDS was born in Toronto in 1951 and studied at the Ontario College of Art graduating in 1973.

RICHARDS is one of Canada’s most important portrait painters with commissions that include the official Diamond Jubilee Portrait of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II for the Government of Canada, as well as the official portrait of many government leaders including provincial Premiers, Speakers and Lieutenant Governors. He has also been commissioned to paint portraits of numerous leaders in education (Presidents, Chancellors, Chairpersons and Principals) at universities such as Acadia, Dalhousie, Mount Allison, Toronto and Western Ontario in addition to various leaders in business including the CEOs and Presidents of Caldwell Group, London Life and Scotiabank. Other commissioned projects include large-scale murals for Cinedom Media Complex, Cologne, Germany; Cineplex, Toronto; Congress Centre, Ottawa and Eaton Centre, Toronto.

RICHARDS’ work can be found in numerous private, public and corporate collections in North America and Europe including Art Gallery of Guelph, Art Gallery of Hamilton, Art Gallery of Ontario, Confederation Centre for the Arts, PEI; Glenbow Museum, Calgary; Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery, MacLaren Art Centre, Barrie; National Capital Commission, Ottawa; Robert McLaughlin Art Gallery, Oshawa; Credit Suisse, Citibank, Four Seasons, Scotiabank, TD Bank Group and Warner Bros.

PHIL RICHARDS lives and works in Toronto, Ontario.

He has been represented exclusively by Mira Godard Gallery for almost 40 years.

To arrange an interview with the artist, or for more information, please contact the gallery at (416)-964-8197, via email godard@godardgallery.com, or visit: www.godardgallery.com.