Al Green Biography

For more than forty years, Al Green devoted himself to sculpture, a passion that coloured his life. Green’s initial work consisted of representations of the human form, including a series of female figures and life-sized busts. These impressionistically textured works in wax and clay were cast in bronze and patinated in rich tones of brown and green. Influenced by such luminaries as Archipenko and Lipchitz, Green pursued a cubist, angular aesthetic, which ultimately became his artistic style. Green went on to create works in categories that include Musicians and Dancers, Sports, Human Figures, Cactus, Religious Symbols, Totems, Awards and Towers. He favoured casting 12-18 inch bronzes but his creativity extended to large scale work, many of which are installed throughout Toronto. His peers including renowned artists Sorel Etrog and Maryon Kantaroff recognized the presence and emotional power of Green’s work immediately. Green was a generous donor of his work to charity, has had several solo exhibitions and participated in many group exhibitions. His work can be found in public and private collections in Canada and around the world.

As co-founder of Greenwin Construction, Green helped develop and shape the urban landscape of Toronto. Early on he received the nickname “Dream Maker” because of his social involvement and generosity. He was a tireless philanthropist, recently honoured with the Order of Canada for his devotion community service.

In 2000, he founded the Al Green Sculpture Studio & School, which fulfilled his desire to provide a venue for sculptors to work and learn in an open, accessible environment. Green continued to enrich himself and others through his involvement in arts organizations including The Sculptors Society of Canada and The Art Gallery of Ontario.

Al Green O.C. (February 1,1925 – January 22, 2016)

The school recently suffered the loss of our founder and guiding light, Al Green. Without his vision and passion we would not exist. His beneficence lives on in every piece created within these walls, and in the hearts of all who knew him. He shall be dearly missed.