John Ritchel

Brought up in a fishing family after the death of his father in WW 1 he accompanied his mother in the fish boats from Victoria to Prince Rupert. After

serving with Cdn. armed services in the WWII he studied in NYC at the Arts Students

League, where many of his contemporaries also studied. He returned to Vancouver

Island where he became friends with Jack Shadbolt, who considered him one of the most important artists of his time. In the 1950s his practice included painting, sculpture, & ceramics often in a metaphysical context.

In later life he turned to writing of an autobiographical nature. These writings remain unpublished. He was a shy and private person who shunned publicity thus his work has not received the exposure it is due. (MJ Hughes)