08/27/2026
This untitled 1982 piece in our ‘Markle, Content is Just a Glimpse’ exhibit gives a moment of pause as viewers pass through the gallery.
It stands out on the black wall, drawing eyes to its alluring color, shape, and size. This piece was generously donated to The Tom Thompson Art Gallery by Bernie Lucht in 1994, and has found its way onto our walls this Summer.
The early 1980s was a huge shift for Robert Markle as he left the chaotic Toronto art scene for a more focused rural way of life. It was during this time he began to reconcile with his Mohawk identity, actively incorporating Indigenous cultural symbols, themes, and perspectives into his art.
It was also during this time that he began to transition between mediums, finding a deep love for mechanical whimsy and Ontario folk art.
A romance which laid the groundwork for his famous “whirligig” kinetic wood sculptures later in the decade. One of which you can view Tom Thomson Art Gallery if you haven’t already!
