Maxwell Bennett Bates
A Life of Form and Expression
Maxwell Bennett Bates was a man of dual disciplines, navigating the structured world of architecture and the emotive, swirling realms of expressionist painting with equal mastery. Born in Calgary, Alberta, his artistic journey began much earlier than his professional architectural career, with works like In the Kitchen emerging when he was only fifteen years and a few months old. As the son of William Stan
ley Bates, a prominent architect responsible for landmarks such as the Burns Building, Maxwell was immersed in the principles of design from a young age. He eventually followed this path, working within his father's architectural firm and contributing to significant structures like St. Mary's Cathedral.
However, it was through the canvas that Bates truly found his voice, bringing a profound European modernist sensibility to the Canadi…
