Charlie Katz – a memorial exhibition

Untitled, 1998, oil and marble dust on canvas, 43 x 54 inches

July 20 – August 11, 2012
Opening Reception: Friday, July 20, 6 – 10 p.m.
PAUL PETRO CONTEMPORARY ART
980 Queen St. W. Toronto, ON, M6J 1H1
T: 416 979 7874
E: info@paulpetro.com
www.paulpetro.com
Hours: Wed – Sat 11 – 5 p.m. Paul Petro Contemporary Art is pleased to present a concise survey exhibition of paintings by Charlie Katz (1956-2008) in aid of the newly-established Charlie Katz Painting & Drawing Fund at OCAD University.”Charlie grew up in Toronto and in the early 1970s attended Forest Hill Junior High and Northern Secondary schools before going to OCA in 1976 to study painting. He moved to New York City’s lower east side and from 1978 to 1980 studied at OCA’s New York City campus. Charlie returned to Toronto and lived and worked in a warehouse at Bathurst St and Richmond St West. He managed the property on a part time basis and we met when I moved into the building in the summer of 1981. We remained friends throughout the years until he died of a cerebral hemorrhage in January 2008. Charlie is remembered for his optimism and great sense of humour, his selflessness and sense of community.” Paul Petro, June 2012″In 1992 Charles was diagnosed with a rare form of leukaemia and his prognosis was not good. After two rounds of very difficult chemotherapy Charles decided to “break the context” and abandon traditional medicine and feel alternative Chinese and Vedic therapies and in some cases eccentric and strange brews. Much to the amazement of his physicians, the cancer went into remission. Charles turned this experience around, became part of the vanguard and spent years studying alternative medicines including cranialsacral therapy. As well as being a healing practitioner, Charles spent countless hours working with cancer and AIDS patients at Toronto’s Wellness Centre. He continued to paint while working as a healer” from “Charles Lawrence Katz: Paintings & Works On Paper” 2009  (Toronto: Duncannon Press), page 4.”At OCA, Charlie and I both ended up in New York City for a couple of years. He’d show me around New York because he was there first and knew the ropes. …When we came back to Toronto, we both lived at 620 Richmond Street West. We had large live-in studios and the place was crawling with artists and musicians. To make ends meet we both ended up working for the owner of the building. …We’d move Charlie’s furniture on a weekly basis and set up the place so it was functional for whatever project he was working on. I suggested that  he come with me to summer camp near Parry Sound to teach art. He agreed, and he was hired. It was his first experience teaching. It was a hoot having Charlie at camp. We really had a blast! The kids loved him. …He had a kind and giving nature. Charlie really loved life. He was a curious guy and was always up to something. He was free and joyous. He’d romp around excited by everything around him.” Alan Glicksman, 7 January 2008

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