“Humanity and nature are one.”  ~FH Varley
 
This short 1953 National Film Board of Canada documentary, shot in 35 mm, provides a glimpse into the life of Group of Seven artist Frederick Horsman Varley.
 
Having lived through WWII and served Canada during World War I as a commissioned war artist, Varley was conflicted and troubled by much of what he saw in the world (war, misery, and fear).  But in spite of these thoughts, Varley chose to focus on the beauty in everyday things around him, and he sought to be in harmony with his surroundings.
 
The stunning natural beauty of British Columbia landscape in particular resonated with Varley, about which he wrote to a friend in 1929, “BC is heaven.  It trembles within me and pains me with its wonder.  As when a child I first awoke to the song of earth at home.
 
Sea music lets the wind and waves sing lovingly.  And the woman responds to the sea.  Humanity and nature are one.” 

The National Film Board of Canada:
www.nfb.ca

The National Art Gallery of Canada - F.H. Varley collection http://www.gallery.ca/en/see/collections/artist.php?iartistid=5648

Varley Art Gallery (Markham, Ontario):