Albert Chiarandini

Albert Chiarandini was born in the city of Udine, in northern Italy (Friuli-Venezia, Giulia).Self taught, at the age of fifteen he was accepted to apprentice at the workshop of the well known sculptor, Luigi Moro of Udine.Albert arrived in Canada in 1932 at the age of 17. Determined to continue with his studies, he applied and was accepted to the Ontario College of Art. There he studied under the guidance of Franklin Carmichael, Frederick Challener, John William Beatty and John Alfsen.His paintings of the “Yorkville Hippies” (1960’s) gained Chiarandini recognition as a serious, professional and extremely gifted portrait painter. Through his work Chiarandini successfully captures the diversity and integrity of the human spirit.Albert said that “landscapes allowed him to explore the profound beauty of nature, echoes of light and the smell of the countryside”. Little could he have foreseen a future side effect of his work. Chiarandini has created a unique and powerful gift of historical documentation and beauty.In 2004, a donation of 159 of Albert’s paintings was made to the Georgina Arts Centre and Gallery in Sutton West, by the late Mr. Bruce Smith. This major collection is on permanent display, and has been included in “The Group of Seven Project”, citing Albert as “The Unknown Group of Seven Member”. The event has garnered him much attention and provides public viewing of this exceptional collection of his landscapes, portraits and still life. Few artists, particularly Canadian, have been honoured with this level of public exposure and support from a public gallery.Albert Chiarandini passed away on December 18, 2007, in his 93rd year. He was passionate about the power of art and the beauty of our Canadian landscapes. Albert was truly a reminder of a revolutionary era in Canadian painting, and an established voice in his own right, for Canadian art.Please visit AlbertChiarandini.com for a brief collective of his lifes work