Rosalie Sharp
Rosalie Sharp
1936 -
Rosalie Sharp, a prominent figure in Canadian design and arts, was born and raised in a Jewish household in 1930s North Toronto. She is the editor of Growing Up Jewish and the author of Me & Issy: A Four Seasons Romance. Sharp attended the Ontario College of Art and Design (OCAD University) while raising four children with her spouse, Isadore Sharp, founder of Four Seasons Hotels. She graduated in 1968, receiving the prestigious Lieutenant Governor’s Medal.
As the founder of Rosalie Wise Design Inc., Sharp was responsible for shaping the interior design of numerous Four Seasons Hotels, including some of their most iconic spaces. Her influence on the Four Season’s signature style remains unmistakable. A testament to her contribution to design is the Rosalie Sharp Centre for Design, now a celebrated architectural landmark that has garnered multiple awards.
In 2004, Rosalie Sharp became OCAD’s first chancellor, serving as chair of the board of trustees. Over her prolific career, she has written six books, offering unique insights into her life, design philosophy, and personal experiences, all delivered with her characteristic engaging and conversational style. In 2010, she concluded her design career to pursue her passion for painting, focusing on bold, abstract compositions in oil on canvas. When reflecting on her creative process, Sharp describes her approach as fluid and instinctive: “I have no idea what I am going to do. Painting is collaborative between me, the canvas, and the brush.”
Rosalie Sharp's remarkable legacy extends beyond her professional achievements. She is the matriarch of a close-knit family that includes four sons, five grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren, all of whom she continues to amaze and inspire.
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Open and Shut 1/4 by Rosalie Sharp sold for $5,313
Rosalie Sharp
Open and Shut 1/4
45 x 49 in, 114.3 x 124.5 cm
oil on canvas
Estimate: $6,000 - $8,000 CDN
Sold for: $5,313 CDN (premium included)
Canadian Art Now on Thursday, March 27, 2025
Fresh Produce 2/9 by Rosalie Sharp sold for $5,000
Rosalie Sharp
Fresh Produce 2/9
49 x 45 in, 124.5 x 114.3 cm
oil on canvas
Estimate: $6,000 - $8,000 CDN
Sold for: $5,000 CDN (premium included)
Canadian Abstraction on Thursday, November 28, 2024