Response By
Dennis Garnhum
Duncan Grant Still Life with Irises and Red Poppy, 1954
oil on canvas Gift of the Contemporary Art Society of Great Britain, 1957Response
This artist was a member of the Bloomsbury Group. Gorgeous! Stunning! Imaginative! Lean deeply into Still Life with Irises and Red Poppy to imagine his titillating personal life (in a time when his homosexuality could have landed him in prison). In the fall of 2020, 400 highly erotic drawings by Grant were discovered. As a queer artist, I mourn for what pieces he might have painted for public viewing. May the artists of today not hide away, while painting this still life for the masses.
Since 2016 Dennis Garnhum has been the Artistic Director of The Grand Theatre. Previously, he was the Artistic Director of Theatre Calgary for over a decade. His co-adaptation of Lost – A Memoir was nominated for a 2012 Governor General’s Literary Award. Originally from London, Dennis began his theatre career at The Grand at age 13, and has since directed dozens of plays, musicals, and operas across North America.