(1927 – 1977)
Kurelek was the son of Ukrainian immigrant parents who farmed in Alberta and Manitoba. He obtained a BA degree in general arts and then enrolled at the Ontario College of Art. He was forced to drop out due to mental health issues. He later attended an art centre in Mexico and travelled to Europe where his mental health deteriorated further. He was treated for schizophrenia in England and the Netherlands before returning to Canada.

A prolific painter, his early works illustrate depression-era farming scenes, immigrant experiences, and his spiritual beliefs; his later works are characterized by troubling depictions of his struggles with mental health.

Key collections: National Gallery of Canada, Winnipeg Art Gallery, Niagara Falls Art Gallery, Ukrainian Museum of Canada, and multiple provincial art museums.