Elza Mayhew

Elza Mayhew (1916–2004) was born in Victoria, BC. She received a BA from the University of British Columbia (1936) and MFA (1963) from the University of Oregon. Mayhew produced commissioned works for international events such as Expo 67, Expo 86 and an international trade fair in Tokyo, as well as for public institutions such as the Bank of Canada, the University of Victoria, the Canadian National Capital Commission and the Royal British Columbia Museum. In 1964, Mayhew would represent Canada (with Harold Town) as one of the first Canadian women to exhibit at the Venice Biennale, bringing her innovations in sculptural methods, use of industrial materials, and exploration of the human experience to an international audience. Her work is included in the collections of the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, the National Gallery of Canada, Simon Fraser University Galleries and the University of Victoria. Mayhew was a member of the Royal Canadian Academy, and was an active member of the Limners Society.