He has been described as a national treasure, and on July 9, a few months after his passing in March of this year, the friends, colleagues and family of Professor Selwyn Ryan gathered together for a very special commemoration. Artist and educator Dr James Armstrong paid tribute to the late social scientist with a portrait that was gifted to his widow, Mrs Jan Ryan.
Dr Armstrong, better known as “Jim”, explained in his description of the piece that, “It was while liming at Selwyn’s home that I caught him gazing with admiration at his wife, Jan. I thought that I should capture the moment with my phone camera. Thereafter, I decided to experiment with a new painting technique on copper and while going through my images came upon the photo of Selwyn. I decided to paint his portrait, as a surprise.”
He added, “Since it was an experimental painting and he was not aware, I was under no pressure to move with haste. The painting was in progress for about two years, when, unfortunately, Selwyn passed away. The painting was completed and handed over to Jan so that we may always be able to reflect on that gaze of love.”
The event, held at the Ryan residence, brought together a host of national figures – leaders in academia, public policy, business, and the arts.
“I first met Selwyn Ryan while I was a student at Ryerson in Toronto in 1968,” said Dr Armstrong. “He had already completed his postgraduate studies and was lecturing at York University in Toronto. I believe that our first encounter was on the occasion of a lecture by the visiting Tanzanian President, Julius Nyerere.
“My recollection of Selwyn was that he was quiet and intense, as if always pondering something that was not yet evident, but which was there to be determined. We talked about politics back home and of his earlier experiences in Toronto. His quiet scholarship was most evident.”
