Left: Margie Galita, Center: Ron Moore, Right: Amanda Moore, 2007 at Moore Gallery on 80 Spadina Ave. 4th floor, Toronto, ON
I was first introduced to Douglas Bentham’s sculptures in 2006, while working as a gallery assistant for Ron Moore at Moore Gallery in Toronto. Having recently graduated from the Ontario College of Art and Design, I was at an exciting stage in my career, surrounded by established artists who had built successful practices and made a living through their creative work. It was inspiring to see what was possible beyond the walls of art school and to experience firsthand the relationships between artists, galleries, and collectors.
Douglas Bentham was one of the artists who made that experience particularly memorable. He was exhibiting his sculptures at Moore Gallery, and I had the privilege of meeting him in person. Although my interactions with Douglas after that initial meeting were primarily through email and telephone conversations, his work remained a familiar and lasting presence throughout my professional gallery life.
Left: Douglas Bentham, Right: John Mann at the artist’s studio in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
It was Ron Moore who first introduced Douglas Bentham’s work to John Mann, who quickly embraced the artist’s sculptures. What began with the acquisition of a few smaller works gradually developed into a meaningful and extensive collection.
John was more than a collector of Douglas Bentham; he was a genuine supporter of the artist and his work. As his appreciation grew, so did his collection, eventually including several of Bentham’s monumental sculptures. These works became part of the landscape at 13th Street Winery, contributing to the experience of visiting the property and its sculpture garden. Several can still be seen around the grounds today, where they continue to be enjoyed by visitors to the winery.
Douglas Bentham sculpture “Lemon Scribble” arrives at the John Mann Gallery located at 13th Street Winery, 2024
A Collector’s Passion and a Sculpture on the Hill
The last major work John acquired was a Douglas Bentham sculpture titled Lemon Scribble, a monumental painted steel work measuring 25 feet × 78 inches × 105 inches, currently at 13th Street Winery.
This was a work that Douglas pursued John about over the span of nearly a year. John would hum and haw over the purchase, knowing full well that with more than 400 artworks in his collection, the last thing he needed was another sculpture. He would often joke that he was certain his wife would scold him for buying yet another piece of art.
But then he would look at the sculpture and say something along the lines of: “I know the last thing I need is more art, but wouldn’t it look great to have this yellow sculpture on top of that hill? It would be bright, you could see it from the road, and it would be a beacon to draw people to the sculpture garden.”
That was John. He could see beyond the artwork itself. He envisioned how it would live in a space, how people would encounter it, and how it would become part of a larger experience. His enthusiasm was infectious, and his instinct for collecting was driven by a genuine love of art.
And so, Lemon Scribble found its home on that hill. Following John’s passing, it was relocated but can still be viewed at 13th Street Winery today.
Preserving Two Legacies
Today, his daughters have taken on the responsibility of managing his extensive collection. Their efforts to donate works to major institutions are helping ensure that both Douglas Bentham’s artistic legacy and their father’s legacy as a collector and supporter of the arts will continue.
John’s collection was built over more than six decades. It reflects a lifetime of curiosity, commitment, and a deep belief in the importance of art. His support of Douglas Bentham was just one part of that story, but it is a particularly meaningful one.
To see works from this collection find their way into public and institutional collections is to see the continuation of something John valued deeply: the opportunity for others to experience, learn from, and appreciate the art he so carefully collected.
Left: John Mann, Right: Douglas Bentham. Posing in front of the The Tablets, consisting of 27 pedestal-scaled sculptures displayed on identical plinths was exhibited in five western Canadian public galleries from 2016 to 2018. Now part of the Mann Collection.
Remembering Douglas Bentham
Douglas Bentham’s contribution to Canadian sculpture is significant. His work explores structure, abstraction, material, and the relationship between sculpture and its surroundings. His monumental works command space, while his smaller sculptures offer an intimacy and complexity that reward closer attention.
For me, however, his legacy is also connected to the people and stories surrounding his work. I remember meeting him at Moore Gallery, the conversations that followed, Ron Moore’s introduction of his work to collectors, and John Mann’s enthusiasm as his collection grew.
These are the stories that give art a personal dimension. They remind us that collecting is not simply about acquiring objects. It is about relationships, shared appreciation, and the desire to preserve something meaningful.
The story of Douglas Bentham and John Mann is a good example of how an artist’s work can become part of a collector’s larger vision. Lemon Scribble is one of the more memorable acquisitions from John’s collection and reflects his interest in placing large-scale sculpture in prominent, visible settings.
Written by: Margie Galita
