I also had the opportunity of going to Peterborough's Museum and Public Library to learn more about this relatively unknown pioneer sculptor.
She never competed in the competitions to do War memorials or commemorative busts of famous persons such as Politicians or Public leaders.
Her bas reliefs are gentle as well as happy, a "Woman carrying a live goose", "Christ and the Little Children", "Peasants working in a field" all tell the story in her own way. The small figures of people in Alsace traditional dress is a rare bit of design. "An Angel of Peace with dove" is a good figure study. "Laughing Baby" does make you laugh while "Mercury Charmed by his own invention", received mention for the production. "Blackbirds" is one of her animal's subjects as is her "Rat" that used to visit her studio from time to time. "La Lutte pour la Vie" is an effort to fight off a wolf attack, a mother with child in her arms. "Lift High the Light" could have been a model for a War memorial but I have no proof of it.
From time to time Katherine would get an exhibition of her work but from the amount of work listed and what is in the museum little of them got sold. I certainly enjoyed the interviews I had and the search I did about this early much neglected artist.
If you go to the Centennial museum on the hill you are always welcome even if the work is not on display all the time. It has been years since I first sought out her work. My photos were a complete failure as I used a different film at the time thinking it would be multi purpose in use.
I am relying on the photos from the book. Her brother I believe asked me why I was interested in her back in 1969. Here it is 2003 and I can say I am going to use the information to make it known. The family story is a real pioneer one and deserves a reading. I will treasure it all of my life.
What more can I say about her accept to repeat what is in her book. She earned her place the hard way and must not be forgotten as an inspiration to those who want to pursue a career in the arts. You must remember as always that there were few places where an artist could show their works as the country built proper Museums and Art Galleries to house them.
I thank the directors of this small Museum for their kind attention while I made my way through unknown territory once again to record the past experiences of our artists.
I hope they will be pleased to find Miss Wallis amongst the other artists I have chosen to get Online. Not all of my subjects have enough material to make a showing at this time. Mr. Loates is one of them. I only have three photos of his working in his studio in Scarborough Ontario.
