Sidney Kelsie

Many kinds of artists create vernacular art. This includes individuals without formal training in art, ones that don’t consider themselves part of an art tradition, ones that didn’t have or don’t recognize having had influences, and some that don’t even call themselves artists. One such artist is Alberta’s Sidney Kelsie.

Sidney Kelsie was born in Nova Scotia in 1928, of Caribbean and Irish heritage. Segregated schools complicated his education, so he forged documents and joined the Navy at 16. After the war, he worked in logging camps until injuries forced him to paint houses in Edmonton and subsequently retired early.

Kelsie began making art in 1981. First he found a carved object and put it on his gate. That led to painting with house paint on wooden cutouts and found objects. He would make one of his colourful pieces from start to finish and put it out in the yard. First abstract, but eventually mostly animals, figures, faces. The objects covered the gate and fence, hung in trees, and sat in the garden. Ultimately the yard itself took on a life of its own, and became the major artwork. Blue Picture Stand is a small example of the grander concept.

Sidney Kelsie – Blue Picture Stand

While Kelsie never acknowledged any particular influences himself, it is possible that his work was at least unconsciously influenced by his heritage. The work resembles African-American “Yard Art” which in turn draws from West African traditions of hanging charms in trees to protect the homeowner.

As Kelsie’s wonderfully joyous yard grew in content, it became more conspicuous. As he lived across the street from Commonwealth Stadium, many people would walk past, or stop in to ask questions or have a look. Among those drawn to his work and growing notoriety were journalist David Staples who wrote a feature on Kelsie in 1985, and artist Wayne Mackenzie who eventually convinced Kelsie to show work at Electrum Design Studio. From there, curator Nancy Tousley found his work and included him in a show at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection. Others sought, like Kelsie, to simply enjoy it.

Sidney Kelsie – Blue Picture Stand

Kelsie’s wife Louise was the root of his energy and motivation to make, finish, and show his work. When she died in 1994, that was it. He stopped painting, and in the yard, he took down and got rid of all but one chicken. Didn’t want to look out and be reminded of his grief.

He survived for a few more years selling the work, but existence was bleak. More than a companion, Louise had managed his life and work, answered people’s questions, and with his age and failing health, he had expected her to outlive him. Activities they’d loved together were never the same.

Sidney Kelsie died in 2000. The dispersal of his work has made it more challenging to continue appreciating what he has created. But over time many pieces have made it to his family and the Alberta Foundation for the Arts collection. It can now inspire joy in a new generation.