Conrad Furey
(1954 - 2008)

Conrad Furey Biography
(1954 - 2008)

Born in Baie Verte, Newfoundland, he is known for his expressionist representational works. His solo show at Torbolton Oaks Gallery was reviewed by Nancy Baele of the Ottawa Citizen (1981) as follows:

“Northern light floods the exhibition area and intensified the primary colors favored by the artist. In addition to the bright colours, the viewer is struck by the expressive qualities of the objects and stocky figures which form the compositions. Although Furey has lived for several years in Hamilton, his roots are in Newfoundland, and his work like that of David Blackwood has an unmistakeable sense of place. It surfaces explicitly in the historical narrative works titled ‘Resettlement’ and in the scenes of human activities ‘Card Players’, ‘Pool Players’, and ‘Lady with a Carriage’. The ‘Resettlement’ paintings refer to Joey Smallwood’s repopulation scheme in the 60’s, when residents of the outports were moved to more densely-populated areas to make it easier to administer government programmes. House were literally floated to new locations. Furey has shorn an impassioned political statement of dogma by imbuing the image of a house floating on water, mirrored by its own wavering reflection with wrenching psychological sense of dislocations. It is a remarkable feat. In the same way, his large stocky figures appear both stoic and questioning. The horizontally tilted heads, the strong leg and other movements create a compositional energy that goes beyond mere gestural significance.”

Furey worked in oils, acrylic, water colours and mixed media. He completed a mural for Gore Park, commissioned by the City of Hamilton. He was awarded two Purchases Prizes at the “Art Hamilton” exhibitions. He is represented in the collection of the Hamilton City Hall and a number of private collections. He exhibited in a two-artist show at the Canvas Gal., Hamilton (1977) and a number of juried group shows. He resided in Hamilton before his death in 2008.

Literature Source:
"A Dictionary of Canadian Artists, Volume 1: A-F, 5th Edition, Revised and Expanded", compiled by Colin S. MacDonald, Canadian Paperbacks Publishing Ltd, Ottawa, 1997