Stop Thief!, 1974

Issacs Gallery, Toronto Private Collection, U.S.A.

William Kurelek, “Someone with Me: The Autobiography of William Kurelek”, Cornell University, Ithaca,1973, pages 68-70

Swimming was identified by William Kurelek as the only water sport experienced by prairie boys. The artist recalled that he and his brother John did not see “a large body of water until we were in our middle teens! That was when father bought our first car.” Prior to that, the joy of swimming was found at Poplar Spring, described by the painter as “a miniature mecca,” a long hike or short bike ride from the Kurelek family farm. William reminisced of the creation and detailed tactile experience of this escape from the responsibilities of life on the farm, recalling that “older boys dug out and widened a portion of the bog ditch and built a sod dam and a rough diving platform. The bottom was clammy in the spring as mud or clay squished up between your toes. After the sun had dried you off you'd have a fine white coating of clay on you that you could brush off.” Kurelek's “Stop Thief!” presents a further element of chaos to a scene already rich with the potential of energy and activity. The exuberant merriment of the children in the background is interrupted as a dog glides across the bank and grabs the resting shoe of one of the swimmers. The child is left only to shout and reach helplessly to the sky as the four-legged crook begins to exit from the perspective of the viewer (and the boy). Such an occurrence would likely have been met with equal parts entertainment and stress for Kurelek, knowing his long trip back to the farm would have been one of discomfort wearing one shoe, not to mention the potential reaction of his parents at the sudden need for a replacement.