The renowned painter, E.J. Hughes, who spent most of his life on Vancouver Island, is the center of a new documentary premiering at the Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) on Oct. 5.
The Painted Life of E.J. Hughes dives into Hughes’ life as an artist and as a person, who was most famous for his landscapes of the West Coast of B.C.
Hughes was born in 1913 and spent his childhood in Nanaimo. After enlisting as a war artist during WWII, Hughes returned to his passion for landscapes after receiving the Emily Carr scholarship in 1947.
Hughes along with his wife, Fern, settled in Shawnigan Lake, where he created some of his most famous works.
Unlike other artists at the time, Hughes was more traditional in his artwork.
“During the ’40s and ’50s, people became interested in abstract art and expressionism, (whereas) he was painting realism,” said Jenn Strom, the director of the new documentary.
“Hughes wanted to depict the world around him at that time and even though he was painting against the trends of the day, his work was still being recognized and collected by major art institutions,” Strom added.
Often referred to as a shy, recluse, who avoided art openings or promoting his talent, Strom wanted to change the narrative and share who Hughes truly was as a person through his work.
“I think Hughes work shows a deep level of presence. He could sit and draw every leaf and blade of grass or wave. That’s an unusual quality and its someone who has a deep sense of inner stillness,” she said.
While showcasing moments in Hughes’ life throughout the documentary, Strom also features the importance of Vancouver Island in his life and work.
“He painted Vancouver Island more than any other place in British Columbia. He just loved Vancouver Island and he lived in Cowichan Bay for many decades, so there is a huge amount of artwork of that area,” she said.
Although Hughes’ social network was small, through interviews with those who knew him, Strom got the sense he used art as a way to share his emotions.
Hughes experienced a lot of tragedy in his life, with the death of three children who were either still births or died at only a few weeks old, and his wife’s diagnosis of muscular dystrophy and death at 58.
“You get a sense of his personal journey all documented in his artwork,” Strom said.
“I think [nature] was his happy place,” she added.
Strom has history of documenting lives of B.C. artists
This is not Strom’s first documentary on a beloved B.C. artist.
In 2020, Strom co-directed the short documentary A Golden Voice, about Bill Reid, along with Haida filmmaker Patrick Shannon.
“When you get to see these works, like Bill Reid’s golden jewelry and carvings, or E.J. Hughes’ paintings, it is like meeting a celebrity because you only see these works in books or photographs,” she said.
Hughes died in 2007 at the age of 93 in Duncan. Even at the end of his life he still painted.
“He made art from the time he could hold a pencil until the day he died,” she said.
Strom has been working on the Hughes documentary for five years and is looking forward to showcasing it to the world.
“It is a big responsibility diving into someone’s life and trying to honor someone who is so deeply private.”
“I’m trying to make a film that he would love. I hope his spirit shines through and people who love his art, (enjoy) experiencing his art on the big screen,” she added.
