Jack Beder’s Flowers in Pink Bowl (1985) is a tender still life created just two years before the artist’s passing, during a time when illness and harsh Canadian winters had confined him indoors. From the early 1970s until his passing in 1987, Beder turned increasingly to still life, finding inspiration in the beauty of flowers.

Rendered in pastel, the work has a soft, velvety texture, with gentle shading that brings dimension to the composition. A pink bowl is filled with freshly gathered flowers, vivid shades of yellow are layered with fresh greens, baby pinks and hints of deep purple.

Flowers became a deeply personal symbol for Beder. Unable to paint outdoors as he had in his younger years, he took comfort in arranging bouquets, often using flowers picked from his own garden. He found joy in the process, sometimes writing about it in his 800-page journal. 

This pastel on paper measures 12 x 9 inches and is signed by the artist on the lower right. It is featured on page 154 of Jack Beder: Life and Art in Canada (2025), a publication by Rookleys Canadian Art Gallery. Acquired directly from the artist’s estate, it is catalogued as inventory #114.

This piece was also included in the Jack Beder: Life and Art in Canada exhibition at Rookleys Canadian Art Gallery.