"My paintings don't simply represent what I see; they present viewers with what I want them to see."
Ken Danby – Celebrated Canadian Realist Painter
Ken Danby (March 6, 1940 – September 23, 2007) was one of Canada’s most acclaimed realist painters, internationally recognised for his highly detailed and lifelike portrayals of everyday life. Best known for his iconic hockey painting At the Crease, Danby’s career spanned over four decades, during which he became a cultural icon and a leading figure in Canadian photorealism.
Ken Danby; The Mill Race
Early Life and Education
Born in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Ken Danby developed a passion for art at an early age, sketching and painting throughout his youth. In 1958, he enrolled at the Ontario College of Art in Toronto, but left two years later, seeking a more personal and self-directed path. His early career saw him experiment with abstract impressionism, a style that earned him the prestigious Best of Exhibition Award at the 1961 Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition.
Ken Danby; Bushels
Notable Works and Sporting Legacy
Danby achieved worldwide fame with At the Crease (1972), a photorealistic depiction of a masked hockey goaltender guarding the net. The painting became one of the most recognisable images in Canadian sports art, reproduced in countless formats and admired by hockey fans and art collectors alike.
Ken Danby; At The Crease
In addition to At the Crease, Danby created celebrated works such as Lacing Up, The Goalie, and Pancho, as well as series on the America’s Cup yacht races and Canadian athletes at the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo. His artistry extended beyond the canvas — in 1975 he designed four commemorative coins for the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games.
Ken Danby; Lacing Up
Awards and Honours
Ken Danby’s contributions to Canadian art earned him numerous accolades, including:
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Order of Ontario (2001)
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Royal Canadian Academy of Arts (elected 1975)
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Jessie Dow Prize
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125th Anniversary Commemorative Medal of Canada
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Queen’s Silver Jubilee Medal and Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal
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City of Sault Ste. Marie Award of Merit
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Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts, Laurentian University (1997)
Ken Danby; Open Door
Influence and Service to the Arts
Beyond his own practice, Danby served on the Governing Board of the Canada Council and the Board of Trustees of the National Gallery of Canada. He also worked with the Art Gallery of Hamilton, which hosted the major retrospective Beyond the Crease in 2016, showcasing his lasting impact on Canadian visual culture.
Ken Danby; Misty Afternoon
Legacy and Passing
Tragically, Ken Danby died suddenly on September 23, 2007, while canoeing in Algonquin Park — the same location where legendary painter Tom Thomson passed away in 1917. Danby’s art continues to be celebrated for its technical mastery, emotional resonance, and ability to elevate the beauty of ordinary moments.
His works are represented in major collections worldwide, including the National Gallery of Canada, the Art Gallery of Ontario, and the Museum of Modern Art in New York.