Binning’s art education began at the Vancouver School of Decorative and Applied Arts (later the Vancouver School of Art, now Emily Carr University of Art + Design), where he studied under Frederick Varley and Jock MacDonald. He later expanded his training in London under Mark Gertler, Bernard Meninsky, and the sculptor Henry Moore, and also studied briefly at New York’s Art Students League. He attended the University of Oregon on a Carnegie Scholarship, the Central School of Arts and Crafts in England, the Westminster School of Art, and the Ozenfant Academy, and worked with Morris Kantor at the Art Students’ League.
Ships in Classical Calm, 2019, sampson-matthews silkscreen by Bertram Binning
He was a firm believer in the interconnection of art, architecture, and life, which he taught his students. He came from a family of architects and embraced architectural themes throughout his career. In 1949, while teaching at the Vancouver School of Art, he was invited to teach art to architecture students at the University of British Columbia by Fred Lasserre, the founding director of UBC’s School of Architecture. He later founded and served as the head of UBC’s Department of Fine Arts, where he mentored generations of students, and lectured internationally. Beyond teaching, he also contributed to architectural projects, designing colour schemes for buildings, creating mosaics, and influencing public spaces in the region. He was known at the university and in his personal life for his warmth and humour.
Gay Regatta with Purple Sun (Second Version), oil on burlap on board by Bertram Binning
Together with his wife Jessie (Wyllie) Binning, he made a small art community in Vancouver, hosting gatherings that brought together artists, writers, and architects. He formed close relationships with Lawren Harris, Gordon Appleby Smith, Jack Shadbolt, Bruno Bobak, and other leading Canadian artists.
Regatta, oil and pencil on card, laid on paperboard by Bertram Binning
B.C. Binning’s art is defined by a blend of semi-abstraction and modernist structure, which reflect his interest in architecture and design. His paintings often feature bold geometric shapes, clear compositions, and primary colours, particularly in his works that are inspired by the coastal landscapes and nautical life of British Columbia. He is also known for his detailed drawings that capture everyday moments with wit and narrative charm, including people, picnics, and urban street scenes. Binning sought to express what he referred to as the “lyric idea,” gradually shifting his focus toward symbolism in his work. Over the years, he produced a diverse body of work that included pen-and-ink drawings, acrylic and oil paintings, as well as mosaic murals for public buildings.
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Binning made significant contributions to Canadian art and architecture. In 1946, he co-founded the Art in Living Group, which presented the influential 1949 Design for Living exhibition at the Vancouver Art Gallery. In 1954, Binning represented Canada at the Venice Biennale alongside Paul-Émile Borduas and Jean-Paul Riopelle. He also played a central role in the creation of UBC’s Nitobe Garden and founded the university’s Festival of the Contemporary Arts, which ran through the 1960s and hosted figures such as Marshall McLuhan. In recognition of his monumental impact, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1971. Binning retired in 1974 and passed away in Vancouver in 1976.
His legacy endures not only through his art but also through his iconic Bauhaus-inspired West Vancouver home which was declared a National Historic Site of Canada in 1997. His work is held in private and public collections throughout Canada, such as the Art Gallery of Toronto, Dalhousie University Art Gallery, Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery at the University of British Columbia, the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa, University of Lethbridge Art Gallery and the Vancouver Art Gallery.
Vacant and Occupied Squares, 1950, oil on board by Bertram Binning
Consignment at Rookleys
At Rookleys Canadian Art, we are actively seeking works by Bertram Binning for consignment, offering consignment rates far lower below what auction houses charge. If you have a Binning painting to consign, please contact us at info@rookleys.com to discuss these opportunities further.
Nocturnal Fountain , 1952 by Bertram Binning