Canadian Folk Art and Outsider Art
A. Bilodeau. Sculptor. Quebec. Active 1930’s.
This artist’s work first surface to me in the Montreal area. I have no other infformation on him or her. Shown is a sample carving. A Trophy Fish. It is signed: “A. B. ” on the work and: “A. Bilodeau” on the brass plate with the date: “1938”. It is carved in Pine and painted in ‘as found’ colors. About 14 inches long overall.
An image of The Trophy Fish:
A Bilodeau. Sculptor. Quebec. 1930’s.
Mark Davidson. Sculptor. Ottawa, Ontario. (?) Active mid-20th century.
Brother of Al Davidson. (See the post on Al Davidson.) (Ref: Mark Zannis.)
Al Davidson. Sculptor. Wood carver. Calabogie, Ontario. Active mid-20th century.
Al Davidson was a carver of naive character figures; especially known for thin elongated Canadian Mounted Police carvings (RCMP). Signed with a chisel: ‘Al Davidson’, ‘Davidson Family’ or simply ‘Davidson’ and the word ‘Ottawa’ or Canada’ below. His brother Mark Davidson also was a carver. The Davidson carvings were painted by Al Davidson’s wife, Elsie Hannah, who was a sister of the Hannah brothers from Verdun, Quebec. (See the Hannah family post.) (Ref: Mark Zannis.)
A carving by Al Davidson:
Al Davidson. Calabogie, Ont.
Al Davidson’s Ottawa mark:
Al Davidson. His mark.
Al Davidson. The Captain. With a ‘Canada’ mark on the base:
Al Davidson. Calabogie, Ont. The Captain.
Al Davidson. The Canada mark:
Al Davidson. Canada Mark.
Howard Hannah. Sculptor. Howick, Quebec. Active mid-20th century.
Howard Hannah was the son of Charles Hannah. He was a teacher and carved in his spare time. An excellent sculptor, he died at a relatively young age. His works are signed ‘H. Hannah’ or ‘Howard Hannah’. They sometimes have ‘Howick, Quebec’ or ‘Hannah Sculptures’ added.
Some Examples:
A Group of Wood Carvings by Howard Hannah:
Howard Hannah. Verdun, Howick, Quebec. A Group of Carvings. Photo: Mark Zannis.
The Tramp. Howard Hannah:
Howard Hannah. Verdun, Howick, Quebec. ‘The Tramp’. Photo: Mark Zannis.
‘The Fisherman’. By Howard Hannah:
Howard Hannah. Verdun, Howick, Quebec. ‘The Fisherman.’ Photo: Mark Zannis.
Another mark of Howard Hannah:
Howard Hannah. Verdun, Howick, Quebec. His mark. Photo: Mark Zannis.
With thanks for the Illustrations and History from Mark Zannis. Montreal, Quebec.
Duncan Hannah. Sculptor. Bomosseen, Vermont. Active mid to late 20th century.
While he is an American citizen; his place in the Hannah family of artists in Canada must be mentioned here. He was the son of Gerald ‘Pat’ Hannah of Verdun, Montreal, Quebec. His carving was similar to his father’s, uncles’ and aunt’s work. He signed; ‘Duncan Hannah’ or ‘D. Hannah, VT’, ‘Hannah, Vermont’ or ‘Vermont’. Duncan Hannah’s carvings display great charm and skill.
Some Carvings by Duncan Hannah:
Duncan Hannah. Vermont. A Group of Four Carvings:
Duncan Hannah. Wood Carver. Vermont. Four Carvings. Photo: Mark Zannis.
A Cigar Store Figure:
Duncan Hannah. Wood Carving. Vermont. Photo: Mark Zannis.
Duncan Hannah. Detail of a Carving:
Duncan Hannah. Vermont. Detail of a carving. Image: Mark Zannis.
Duncan Hannah. Vermont. A sample Mark:
Duncan Hannah. Vermont. Sample Mark. Image: Mark Zannis.
With thanks for the Illustrations and History to Mark Zannis. Montreal, Quebec.
