Robert George Pollock

Robert George Pollock was born on November 7, 1915, in Maxville, Ontario, to Mr. and Mrs. R.W. Pollock. His father was manager of the Bank of Ottawa in Maxville from 1914 to 1916. Pollock grew up in Winnipeg, where he spent much of his life.

During the Second World War, Pollock served as a flying officer in the Royal Canadian Air Force. This military experience influenced some of his later artistic work, as evidenced by his paintings of military subjects.

Pollock was a self-taught artist who specialized in prairie scenes. His work focused on the landscapes and wildlife of the Canadian prairies, capturing the region's distinctive character and natural beauty. His paintings gained commercial success and were widely sold, with some of his work appearing on Christmas cards, making his art accessible to a broad audience.

Pollock married in 1940 and had children. He continued to live and work in Winnipeg throughout most of his career, drawing inspiration from the surrounding prairie environment.

His artistic legacy is preserved in several institutional collections. The Canadian War Museum in Ottawa holds four of his paintings: two oils titled "Painting Deck Fittings" and "HMCS Yukon," and two watercolors titled "Argus" and "CFAV Lawrenceville (Harbour Tug)." These works reflect his military service and demonstrate his ability to document naval and maritime subjects alongside his prairie landscapes.

Pollock died at his home in Winnipeg on March 1, 1997, at age 81. He is remembered as an artist who successfully captured the spirit of the Canadian prairies and made his work widely available to the public through commercial distribution.