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1938-
Philip Melvin has led very much a down-and-out existence throughout much of his life. He was born at Lamanche, Newfoundland, and after arriving at Toronto described himself as the biggest fool that ever hit Toronto and as the man from Lamanche. Finding himself in continual trouble with the law and at the periphery of society, he spent a good deal of time in correctional facilities or rehabilitation centres. At certain times he would turn to carving and poetry, perhaps as a form of consolatory expression. In 1980 he began carving religious plaques and subjects, as well as painting Toronto landmarks and familiar sights. For a time he was taken in at a retreat house at Comebermere, where the nuns looked after him. Some of his religious carving is undoubtedly a thankful response to the kindness of these and other church people. He carved a dark-skinned nun, probably an image of Mother Theresa, an Indian Princess looking upon the Miracle of the Cross and other religious works, some accompanied by poetry. He also carved an elaborate diorama depicting an incident involving a wrecked ship, for which he provided a lengthy accompanying story in handwritten form. Spending time at the Lakehead, or in Toronto, often at St. Michaels Cathedral, Philip Melvin would sometimes turn to carving in hope of selling a few pieces as a means of minimal survival.
Ref: From the Heart, A Compendium of Canadian Folk Artists, Terry Kobayashi and Michael Bird
Update: Philip Melvin moved to Vancouver where he continued to get into trouble with authorities. He made the news when he was wandering around Stanley Park with a power saw. He was just looking for deadfall for his sculpture but the authorities thought otherwise. His work was included in the 2000 Canadian Museum of Civilization exhibition Under the Sign of the Cross: Creative Christianity in Canada. (Susan Whitney)
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 An Imagination of Marilyn Monroe, 1996
10 x 5 ½ x 4 Ό, $100.00
Portrait of Little Native Student, 1996
11 ½ x 8 x 2, $125.00
A Portrait of a Little Tugboat Captain, 1996,
11 x 6 x 3, $100.00
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 A Portrait of an Old Labrador Fisherman, 1996
10 ½ x 7 x 5, $100.00
A Portrait of Richard Nixon 1960, 1996
12 ½ x 10 x 2, $125.00
A Portrait of a Little Native Student, 1996
11 ½ x 6 x 2 ½, $75.00 |
 A Portrait of a Little Eskimo Student, 1996
9 ½ x 7 Ύ x 2 ½, $60
A Portrait of Old Abe Lincoln, 1996
10 x 6 x 3, $100.00
A Portrait of An Old Prospector, 1996
15 ½ x 7 x 2 ½, $100.00 |
 A Portrait of an Old Toot Toot, 1996
10 x 6 ½ x 2 Ό, $75.00
A Portrait of an Old Senior Citizen (from Vancouver), 1996
11 x 7 x 2, $75.00
A Portrait of Winston Churchill as a Baby, 1996
7 x 5 x 2, $45.00 |
 Sold
I am the Folk Artist
Wood
c.1995
15 x 7 x 7
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 Jesus
Painted wood and plaster Condition: some chips and paint loss
c.1980
18 ½ x 12 x 3
$350.00
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 The Little Man in a Blue Jogging Suit, 1996
11 Ύ x 8 x 1 ½, $75.00
Sold
Im just a little Irish leprechaun, 1996
10 Ύ x 5 Ύ x 2 ½,
The Little Franciscan Monk, 1996
9 x 3 ½ x 1 ½, $40.00 |
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