Laura Brandon, Pegi by Herself: The Life of Pegi Nicol MacLeod, Canadian Artist, Kingtson/Montreal, 2005, page 3
In July of 1948 the city of Fredericton celebrated its centennial, marking one hundred years since the Maritime town was incorporated as a city. This was soon after Fredericton’s construction of Christ Church Cathedral, upon which Queen Victoria declared it a “cathedral city”. In “Centennial Parade (Fredericton)”, preeminent Canadian female artist Pegi Nicol MacLeod commemorates this momentous occasion with vibrancy and infinite colour. As an artist, Pegi was admired for her lively depictions of urban scenes, celebratory events and everyday life.
“Centennial Parade (Fredericton)” is ebullient, composed of swirling forms and figures in bright colours. The surface of the canvas vibrates with the energy and joy of the occasion. As Laura Brandon remarks, “Pegi’s paintings are like jazz. Whatever the subject, her colours and lines weave a complex and often energetic or discordant harmony that is unforgettably hers.” The artist’s approach to painting is incredibly unique, drawing inspiration from her immediate surroundings, personal experiences and domestic sphere. Completed in the year before her untimely death, Pegi Nicol MacLeod has perfectly illustrated the dynamism of the street parade and the joy of existence, memorializing this important milestone for the city.
