Fox and Hedgehog, 1972

Private Collection

Andrew Hunter, “Colville”, Toronto, 2014, page 24 Helen Dow, “The Art of Alex Colville”, Toronto, 1972, page 150 Paul Duval, “High Realism in Canada”, Toronto, 1974, page 73

“Fox and Hedgehog” demonstrates Colville's recognizable style which is given new depth and vivacity in this 18 carat gold medallion. The tension between predator and prey alludes to the overarching themes of time, space and death in Colville's oeuvre. The artist said, “I see life as inherently dangerous. I have an essentially dark view of the world and human affairs...Anxiety is the normality of our age.” The visually balanced medallion juxtaposes the imbalance in the hierarchy of the animal kingdom, and taunts our human desire to meddle with the natural world. In this way, Colville cleverly incorporated layers of meaning in his metallurgical design. The medallion is inscribed “The fox knows many things, but the hedgehog knows one big thing.” Colville was an enthusiastic advocate for the high realist movement because he believed realist artists engaged in creative pursuits that transcended the whims of the intelligentsia. “Instead of contributing to an intellectual devaluation through a loss of idealism, his realism positively brings the ideal world within the realm of immediate comprehension.” Colville is now celebrated as one of the country's most coveted twentieth century artists.