1990: Eli Bornstein Honoured

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Upon his retirement from the University in 1990, Professor Eli Bornstein was awarded the degree of Doctor of Letters (DLitt), an honour based on the assessment of external referees and given in recognition of a “calibre of scholarship...substantially in advance of what is accepted for the PhD.”¹

Dr. Bornstein’s career with the University began in 1950, when he joined the faculty of the Department of Art and Art History.  He introduced a new course, ‘Structure and Colour in Space’ which became an area of specialization unique in North America; was one of Canada’s first abstract sculptors; and in 1960, founded an international art journal, The Structurist.  Still in publication and distributed to over 35 countries, The Structurist is multi-disciplinary: in recalling the first issue, one reviewer was “frankly amazed at the ambitious courage of the magazine, the quality of its design, and the embracing intelligence of the contents.”  Bornstein has served as editor since its inception, and has also been a frequent–“and very often the most thought provoking”–contributor.

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Internationally recognized as an artist, scholar and lecturer, Bornstein has been described as “a man of humane and noble letters, an artist with indefatigable personal vision and an inspired educator;” a “highly individual artist, and yet the source of inspiration for others.”  Dr. Bornstein continues to edit and publish The Structurist and remains an active artist and writer.

Images

1990a: Eli Bornstein receiving honorary degree.  Photograph Collection, A-7963.
1990b: catalogue image of Double Plane Structurist Relief No. 9.  University Publications Collection, Art & Art History, Exhibitions: Eli Bornstein Structurist Reliefs 1966-1975.
1990c: Cover of The Structurist, no. 11, 1971.  University Publications Collection.

Sources