This abstract work is one of the paintings by the late Gerald Trottier donated to Carleton (Photo Provided)

Pablo Picasso, Claude Monet and Gerald Trottier — while the first two artists may be more familiar to Carleton students, without knowing it, they experience the works of Gerald Trottier daily.

The Carleton University Art Gallery (CUAG), located in the St. Patrick’s building, has been offered 12 pieces of art from the late Trottier, ranging from a number of watercolours to oil paintings. Trottier, a former drawing teacher at Carleton’s School of Architecture, was known for his abstract work and the use of bold and vibrant colours.

The paintings are being considered for display in the new River and Canal buildings on campus, according to Diana Nemiroff, CUAG director. Trottier’s daughter, Denise Trotter, said the architect of the buildings was a close friend of her father’s.

“The architect said it would be a great idea to have these paintings where we are going to have people coming in from all cultures and all nations so that’s what got us thinking about donating artwork and so Carleton could showcase itself in the city, in the nation and internationally,” Denise said.

Carleton students may not realize that one of Trottier’s largest and most vibrant pieces is the mural that encircles the lecture hall situated in the centre of the third floor of the Tory Building. After winning a contest in 1962, Trottier’s mosaic entitled “The Pilgrimage of Man” beat out eight other entries.

Born in Ottawa in 1925, Gerlad Trottier started his art career as a painter of abstract art. After travelling to Europe at a young age, medieval art and stained glass became two large influences on his artistic style.

In 1966, Gerald Trottier donated several of his paintings to CUAG at its inception. It was this generous donation that helped the art gallery get started.

Throughout his life, Gerald Trottier was known for his Easter series paintings because “his Catholic faith was important to him,” said Nemiroff.

Not only has Gerald Trottier’s work been showcased at Carleton, but it has also gained much popularity at exhibits such as Ottawa’s National Gallery of Canada.

After his death in 2004, the Trottier family decided to offer many of his paintings to CUAG.

“The university feels very honoured by the generosity of the Trottier family. It carries on the spirit exemplified by Gerald’s mural,” said Nemiroff. 

“[Gerald] Trottier was so important because he taught as a seasonal lecturer and was instrumental in the development of the university art collection,” she added.

Next week the university will make a decision as to whether or not the paintings will be accepted from the Trottier family.