# Erica Rutherford

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{{short description|Canadian artist, filmmaker and writer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2026}}
{{Infobox artist
| name                      = Erica Rutherford
| image                     = Erica_Rutherford.jpeg
| image_size                =
| alt                       =
| caption                   = 
| native_name               =
| native_name_lang          =
| birth_name                = Eric Rutherford
| birth_date                = {{Birth date|1923|02|01|df=y}}
| birth_place               = [Edinburgh](/source/Edinburgh), Scotland
| death_date                = {{Death date and age|2008|04|11|1923|02|01|df=y}}
| death_place               = [Charlottetown](/source/Charlottetown), [PEI](/source/Prince_Edward_Island), Canada
| resting_place             =
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| education                 =
| alma_mater                =
| known_for                 = painting, printmaking, writing
| notable_works             =
| style                     =
| movement                  =
| spouse                    = {{Nowrap|Chloe Clough (1942–1949) <br> Gloria Green (1949–1955) <br> Laura de Borgreve (1955–1966)}}
| partner                   = Gail Turner (1959–2008)
| awards                    = Father Adrien Arsenault Senior Arts Award (2001)
| elected                   =
| patrons                   =
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| website                   = <!-- {{URL|Example.com}} -->
| module                    = 
}}
'''Erica Rutherford''' {{Post-nominals|country=CAN|RCA|size=100%}} (1 February 1923 in [Edinburgh](/source/Edinburgh) – 11 April 2008 in [Charlottetown](/source/Charlottetown))<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://artuk.org/discover/artists/rutherford-erica-19232008/search/nationality:British/page/98/view_as/map/sort_by/agent.summary_title_sort/order/desc|title=Rutherford, Erica, 1923–2008 {{!}} Art UK|website=artuk.org|language=en|access-date=24 March 2020}}</ref> was a British-Canadian artist, filmmaker and writer. She received the Father Adrien Arsenault Senior Arts Award (2001) and was elected to the [Royal Canadian Academy of Arts](/source/Royal_Canadian_Academy_of_Arts) (1999).<ref name=":1 " >{{cite news|url=http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/lifestyles/artist-erica-rutherford-dies-108631/|title=Artist Erica Rutherford dies |last=Network|first=SaltWire|website=The Guardian|access-date=24 March 2020}}</ref> She was the first Prince Edward Island artist to be featured at the Venice Biennale.<ref>{{cite web |title=Exhibitions |url=https://www.gallery.ca/whats-on/exhibitions-and-galleries/erica-rutherford-her-lives-and-works |website=www.gallery.ca |publisher=National Gallery of Canada What's On|access-date=29 April 2025}}</ref>

== Early life and education ==
Erica Rutherford was born Eric Rutherford on 1 February 1923 in Edinburgh, Scotland, to David and Isabel Rutherford.<ref name=":3 " >{{Cite web|url=http://www.gallery18.com/art/picnic-erica-rutherford|title=Picnic - Erica Rutherford|website=Gallery 18|language=en-US|access-date=24 March 2020|archive-date=24 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200324172951/http://www.gallery18.com/art/picnic-erica-rutherford|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 1928, the family moved to [Portsmouth](/source/Portsmouth), England. Rutherford studied at [St. John's College](/source/St_John's_College%2C_Portsmouth) in Southsea, and entered the [Dartmouth Royal Naval College](/source/Britannia_Royal_Naval_College) in 1937, spending a year as a cadet on HMS ''Conway'' in Liverpool.<ref name=":0 " >{{Cite web|url=http://www.archives.pe.ca/atom/index.php/erica-rutherford-fonds-2|title=Erica Rutherford fonds|date=2009|website=Archives PEI|access-date=24 March 2020|archive-date=24 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200324172820/http://www.archives.pe.ca/atom/index.php/erica-rutherford-fonds-2|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 1939, Rutherford studied dramatic art at the [Royal Academy](/source/Royal_Academy_of_Arts) in London.<ref name=":1 " /> Rutherford became a professional actor, working for the next two years in London. During [World War II](/source/World_War_II), Rutherford toured England, performing at army camps.<ref name=":0 " />

In December 1942, Rutherford married Chloe Clough and the next year their daughter, Gail Erika, was born. The couple separated in 1944 and divorced in 1949.<ref name=":0 " />

In 1945, Rutherford took up studies, studying stage design, drawing and sculpture at London's [Slade School of Fine Art](/source/Slade_School_of_Fine_Art)<ref name=":1 " /> and historic costume design at the [Central School of Arts and Craft](/source/Central_School_of_Art_and_Design). This was followed by studies in drawing and painting at [l'Académie Julien](/source/Acad%C3%A9mie_Julian) in Paris.<ref name=":0 " /> During the same period, Rutherford worked as a stage and set designer, designing sets for more than thirty productions of various English theatres, including [Theatre Royal](/source/Theatre_Royal%2C_Windsor) in Windsor and [Theatre Royal](/source/York_Theatre_Royal) in York.<ref name=":0 " />

In April 1949, Rutherford married Gloria Green and they returned to London for a while. The next year, the couple moved to [South Africa](/source/South_Africa) to work on the family farm. In the following years, they developed a banana plantation. Due to health issues, Gloria had to go to Switzerland in 1953, and not seeing each other again, the couple divorced in 1955.<ref name=":0 " /> Later that year, Rutherford got married for the third time, to Laura de Borgreve, and the couple moved to London. After a brief marriage, they separated in 1958, officially divorcing in 1966.<ref name=":0 " />

== Career ==
In 1959, Rutherford met Australian-born artist Gail Turner and the couple moved to [Ibiza](/source/Ibiza), Spain. Rutherford concentrated on painting and exhibited widely throughout Europe.<ref name=":2 " >{{Cite web|url=http://www.herartstory.com/erica-rutherford/|title=Erica Rutherford – Her Art Story|language=en-US|access-date=24 March 2020}}</ref> At this time, Rutherford's artwork started receiving significant recognition with a series of solo exhibits at London's [Leicester Galleries](/source/Leicester_Galleries).<ref name=":0 " /> Briefly returning to England in 1964, Rutherford taught painting at the [West Surrey College of Art](/source/Surrey_Institute_of_Art_%26_Design%2C_University_College) in Farnham, but soon the couple went back to Spain, where in 1966, their daughter Susana was born.<ref name=":2 " />

The family returned to London in 1967, but being unable to find a job in local art schools, Rutherford decided to move to the United States. Rutherford started teaching at the Louisville School of Art in Kentucky in 1968, and by 1969 was a visiting professor at [West Virginia University](/source/West_Virginia_University). In 1971, Rutherford became associate professor in the Art Department at the [University of Missouri](/source/University_of_Missouri) in [Columbia, Missouri](/source/Columbia%2C_Missouri).<ref name=":0 " />

In 1975, Rutherford legally separated from Gail and then adopted the name Erica.<ref name=":0 " /> She underwent gender affirming surgery during 1976 in [St. Louis, Missouri](/source/St._Louis%2C_Missouri).<ref name=":0 " />

After the surgery, Rutherford moved to Canada taking temporary teaching positions at the [University of Guelph](/source/University_of_Guelph) and [Sheridan College](/source/Sheridan_College) in Ontario. In 1985, she settled in [Prince Edward Island](/source/Prince_Edward_Island) purchasing a property in Pinette. Eventually, her ex-wife Gail returned to live with her as a life partner and friend.<ref name=":2 " />  In 1987, they opened an art studio and an artist's retreat at their Pinette property.<ref name=":0 " />

Rutherford started illustrating children's books such as ''The Owl and the Pussycat'' (1986).<ref name=":3 " />  In following years, she also wrote and illustrated two humour books, ''Yoga for Cats'' (1987) and ''Dance for Cats'' (1988). In 1994, her children's book ''An Island Alphabet'' was published.<ref name=":0 " />

In 1993, Rutherford published her autobiography, ''Nine Lives: The Autobiography of Erica Rutherford'',<ref>{{Cite book|last=Rutherford, Erica.|title=Nine lives : the autobiography of Erica Rutherford|date=1993|publisher=Ragweed|isbn=0-921556-36-5|location=Charlottetown, P.E.I.|oclc=27852039}}</ref> in which she discusses what she described as [gender dysphoria](/source/gender_dysphoria).<ref name=":0 " /> In the book, she also documented the details of her first visit to Prince Edward Island in 1970 that in 1985 became her permanent home.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/artist-erica-rutherford-dies-in-charlottetown-1.740438 |title=Artist Erica Rutherford dies in Charlottetown|date=11 April 2008|website=CBC|access-date=24 March 2020}}</ref>

Rutherford had a great influence on the Prince Edward Island art community. She acted as a formal and informal mentor for many in the community. In 1991, she held the first print-maker's workshop attracting the best artists in the country. Eventually it led to the formation of the Printmaker's Council of the P.E.I association.<ref name=":1 " />

In 1999, Rutherford was admitted to the [Royal Canadian Academy of Arts](/source/Royal_Canadian_Academy_of_Arts).<ref name=":3 " /> In 2001, she received Father Adrien Arsenault Senior Arts Award.<ref name=":1 " /> Her last show ''Enigmatic Whispers'', was held at the [Confederation Centre Art Gallery](/source/Confederation_Centre_Art_Gallery) in Charlottetown in 2006.<ref name=":4 " >{{Cite web|url=https://www.mutualart.com/Artist/Erica-Rutherford/7F4250541BCAAF2B|title=Erica Rutherford {{!}} Art Auction Results|website=www.mutualart.com|language=en|access-date=24 March 2020}}</ref>

Erica Rutherford died on 11 April 2008 in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, at the age of 85.<ref name=":0 " />

A scholarship in her name is awarded by the [University of Prince Edward Island](/source/University_of_Prince_Edward_Island).<ref name=":3 " /> A current bursary in her name is offered by the [Confederation Centre of the Arts](/source/Confederation_Centre_of_the_Arts).

== Exhibitions (selection) ==

* Leicester Galleries, London (1961–1964);
* Galeria Ivan Spence, Ibiza, Spain (1961–1966);
* Galerie San Jorge, Madrid, Spain (1962); 
* Ashgate Gallery, Farnham, England (1966, 1970, 1974); 
* Pollock Gallery (1975, 1981) 
* Pascal Gallery, Toronto, Canada (1981, 1983); 
* Gallery 1667, Halifax, Nova Scotia (1986);<ref name=":5 " >{{Cite book|last1=Heller|first1=Jules|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AYxmAgAAQBAJ|title=North American Women Artists of the Twentieth Century: A Biographical Dictionary|last2=Heller|first2=Nancy G.|date=19 December 2013|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-135-63882-5|pages=481|language=en}}</ref>
* Confederation Centre Art Gallery, Charlottetown (2006)<ref name=":4 " />
* The Animal Within Creatures in (and outside) the Mumok Collection 2022–2023
* Women in Revolt, Tate Britain, 2023–2024
* ''Erica Rutherford: Her Lives and Works'' [retrospective](/source/retrospective) [Confederation Centre Art Gallery](/source/Confederation_Centre_Art_Gallery) 2024–2025;<ref>{{cite web |title=Exhibitions |url=https://confederationcentre.com/whats-on |website=confederationcentre.com |publisher=Confederation Centre Art Gallery, Charlottetown |access-date=13 November 2024}}</ref>

== Collections ==

*[Arts Council of Great Britain](/source/Arts_Council_of_Great_Britain);
*[Burnaby Art Gallery](/source/Burnaby_Art_Gallery), British Columbia;
* Canada Council Art Bank, Ottawa;<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://artbank.ca:443/|title=Erica Rutherford|website=Canada Council Art Bank|language=en|access-date=24 March 2020}}</ref>
*[Corcoran Gallery of Art](/source/Corcoran_Gallery_of_Art), Washington, D.C.;
* The government of Prince Edward Island Art Collection; 
* Stephens College, Columbia, Missouri; 
*[University of Wales](/source/University_of_Wales), Cardiff;<ref name=":5 " />
* [Confederation Centre Art Gallery](/source/Confederation_Centre_Art_Gallery);
* Indianapolis Museum of Art;
*[Museo de Arte Contemporáneo](/source/Museo_de_Arte_Contempor%C3%A1neo_(Madrid)), Madrid, Spain.<ref name=":1 " />
*Owens Art Gallery, [Mount Allison University](/source/Mount_Allison_University)<ref>{{Cite web |title=A-Z of Collection – Owens Art Gallery |url=https://owensartgallery.com/collection/a-z-of-collection/ |access-date=5 December 2025 |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Books ==

* ''The Owl and the Pussycat'' (1986)<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Rutherford|first1=Erica|title=The owl and the pussycat and other works.|last2=Confederation Centre Art Gallery and Museum|date=1986|publisher=Confederation Centre Art Gallery and Museum|isbn=978-0-920089-44-6|language=en|oclc=16183043}}</ref>
* ''Yoga for Cats'' (1987)<ref>{{Cite book|last=Rutherford|first=Erica|title=Yoga for cats|date=1988|publisher=Ragweed Press|isbn=978-0-920304-77-8|location=Charlottetown, P.E.I.|language=en|oclc=17483933}}</ref>
*''Dance for Cats'' (1988)<ref>{{Cite book|last=Rutherford|first=Erica|title=Dance for cats (or pas de chats)|date=1988|publisher=Ragweed Press|isbn=978-0-920304-80-8|location=Charlottetown, P.E.I.|language=en|oclc=18644725}}</ref>
*''Nine Lives: The Autobiography of Erica Rutherford'' (1993)<ref>{{Cite book|last=Rutherford|first=Erica|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ag_aAAAAMAAJ|title=Nine lives: the autobiography of Erica Rutherford|date=1993|publisher=Ragweed|location=Charlottetown, P.E.I.|isbn=9780921556367|language=en|oclc=607739240}}</ref>
*''An Island Alphabet'' (1994)<ref>{{Cite book|last=Rutherford|first=Erica|title=An Island alphabet|date=1994|publisher=Ragweed|isbn=978-0-921556-44-2|location=Charlottetown, P.E.I.|language=en|oclc=29913648}}</ref>

== Filmography ==
''Jim Comes to Jo'Burg'' (1949, producer)<ref name=":0 " /> ''Also known as [African Jim](/source/African_Jim).''

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rutherford, Erica}}
Category:1923 births
Category:2008 deaths
Category:20th-century Canadian women artists
Category:20th-century British women artists
Category:20th-century Canadian women writers
Category:20th-century British women writers
Category:20th-century Canadian non-fiction writers
Category:20th-century British non-fiction writers
Category:20th-century Canadian LGBTQ people
Category:20th-century British LGBTQ people
Category:Canadian film producers
Category:Transgender women artists
Category:Transgender women writers
Category:Canadian children's writers
Category:British transgender writers
Category:British children's writers
Category:Canadian transgender writers
Category:British autobiographers
Category:British women autobiographers
Category:Canadian autobiographers
Category:Artists from Edinburgh
Category:Alumni of the Slade School of Fine Art
Category:Alumni of the Central School of Art and Design
Category:Académie Julian alumni
Category:Members of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts
Category:British transgender women
Category:Canadian transgender women

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Erica Rutherford](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erica_Rutherford) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erica_Rutherford?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.