Philip Aziz

Philip J.A.F. Aziz (1923 –  2009) was a Canadian artist born in St. Thomas but lived in London, Ontario, and was of Lebanese Greek

Orthodox Christian descent. He was recognized for his work in the technique of egg tempera-en-gesso panel, a method popular during the Renaissance.

Aziz graduated from Yale University with a Master of Fine Arts degree in 1949. He next traveled the world, living alternately in New York City and London, Ontario, where he resided in his now heritage-designated home, also the site of his studio and art gallery.

Philip Aziz painted commissioned portraits of Ontario’s Progressive Conservative Premier the Honourable John Robarts, Governor-General Georges Vanier and Mrs. Vanier, noted Canadian photographer Yousuf Karsh, and mezzo-soprano opera star Risë Stevens.

In the late 1950s Aziz was commissioned to transform the former Sacred Heart Chapel in London’s St. Peter’s Basilica into Christ the King Chapel and design the interior of the Lady Chapel.

Philip Aziz died on September 13, 2009, after a 10-year battle with cancer.  His cremated remains were tied up after members of his family challenged the will he made a month before his death.

In the will, the painter and sculptor excluded members of his family who’d been in earlier wills, leaving the bulk of his estate to the Philip Aziz Foundation for Art.

The brothers and sisters of Aziz claimed there’d been “undue influence” and “suspicious circumstances” surrounding the last will.

Aziz left $200,000 for his caregiver Callow and $15,000 to an old girlfriend and everything else to the foundation set up about a year before his death. Callow was also allowed to remain in Aziz’s house on edge of the Western University campus for minimal rent in which the estimated worth is $2 million. It took four years and eight months to have the will stand up in court.

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