JoEllen Brydon: Elizabeth Thompson Advises

Curated by Rhona Wenger.

Born and raised on a fruit farm in Beamsville, Ontario, Jean Armstrong Brydon was the advice columnist for the Globe and Mail from 1966 to 1978. She worked under the pseudonym, “Elizabeth Thompson.” Jean’s daughter, artist JoEllen Brydon, inherited the vast archives of letters and columns. A progressive writer and thinker, Jean captured personal experiences within a larger social movement as people resisted and embraced change during a revolutionary time in our history. Contributors came from all walks of life and a variety of backgrounds. Jean would challenge them, encouraging them to look inward, initiating lively debate, ultimately exploring all complexities of an issue. 

This exhibition is a nuanced and loving exploration of the stories that people tell — to others and to themselves.