Bertram Brooker

1888–1955

In early 1905, when Brooker was seventeen, the family immigrated to Portage la Prairie, Manitoba.

In 1912, he moved to a small town called Neepawa with his brother and became involved with theatre. Since the brothers had an interest in cinema, they opened up a theatre at the Neepawa Opera House. Brooker directed a play called Much Ado About Something at the Portage Opera House, and would later delve into acting as well. In 1913, he married Mary Aurilla (Rill) Porter. Between 1919 and 1921, Brooker worked for several newspapers, including The Free Press in Winnipeg.

Brooker took inspiration from art movements such as Art Nouveau, Art Deco and Cubism. Brooker was also closely associated with the Group of Seven and Lawren S. Harris in particular. In 1929 Brooker met Lionel LeMoine FitzGerald, whose figurative work inspired him to move towards realistic subject matter. Brooker was a founding member of the Canadian Group of Painters and participated in their first 1933 exhibition. Additionally, Brooker was awarded the first Governor General's Literary Award for his 1936 novel Think of the Earth. His art is held in numerous collections including the National Gallery of Canada; the Art Gallery of Ontario; and the McMichael Canadian Art Collection.