David Urban: A Private Collection at John Mann Gallery

David Urban: Private Collection exhibition opening day Saturday, September 25, 2021 at the John Mann Gallery (then named 13th Street Winery)

In the fall of 2021, the John Mann Gallery (then named 13th Street Gallery) opened its doors to a rare and remarkable moment in Canadian art history: DAVID URBAN: Private Collection. From September 25 to October 30, visitors were given the chance to step inside the vision of both a celebrated artist and an equally passionate collector.

A Meeting of Artist and Collector

David Urban has long been recognized as one of Canada’s most important contemporary painters. His canvases, alive with bold lines, rhythmic brushstrokes, and fields of luminous colour, embody a visual language that bridges abstraction with poetic sensibility. But what made this exhibition unique was not only the power of Urban’s paintings, but the story of how they came together in the collection of John Mann.

For years, Mann—himself a dedicated champion of Canadian art—has quietly assembled works of cultural and historical value. His commitment goes beyond ownership; it is an act of stewardship, ensuring that the narrative of Canadian abstraction is preserved for future generations.

Works with Historical Weight

The paintings shown in this exhibition came from Mann’s private collection, making their public display a rare and significant event. Each canvas carried with it not just Urban’s artistic vision, but also a trace of the history of collecting in Canada. Exhibiting these works side by side offered audiences an extraordinary view of Urban’s evolution and reaffirmed the lasting importance of his practice.

In this way, the exhibition was as much about John Mann’s discerning eye as it was about Urban’s artistry. Together, they revealed how collector and artist can shape one another’s legacies.

A Document of Its Time

DAVID URBAN: Private Collection was more than an exhibition—it was a historical marker.

To see these works gathered from the Mann Collection was to witness an important dialogue between artist, collector, and audience. It reminded us that the act of collecting is not passive but deeply active in shaping the story of art itself.

As we revisit this exhibition through images and documentation, we preserve not just the memory of a gallery show, but a cultural event that celebrated the intertwining roles of art, history, and stewardship.