Pegi Nicol MacLeod (born Margaret Kathleen Nichol, 1904-1949) was inspired by everyday scenes around her. Growing up in Ottawa, MacLeod studied art at the Ottawa Art School, and later at the École des beaux-arts in Montreal. While her subjects were varied— children, bustling crowds, views from her window—her style was undeniably hers. Art historian Laura Brandon described MacLeod’s unique vision: “MacLeod’s paintings are like jazz. Whatever the subject, her colours and lines weave a complex and energetic or discordant harmony that is unforgettably hers.” This exhibition pulls together works in the RMG’s permanent collection that capture MacLeod’s exuberant and spontaneous energy that she applied to her life and art.
Installation of Pegi Nicol MacLeod: Unforgettably Hers at The Robert McLaughlin Gallery, 2024. Photos by Toni Hafkenscheid.