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Marta Goertzen-Armin fonds

  • CA MHC PP
  • Fonds
  • 1974 - ?

This fonds consists of sketches and handwritten commentaries describing Marta’s childhood on a rural Manitoba farm in the late 1920s and early 1930s, during the Great Depression; they were drawn over a period of fifteen years as a form of physical therapy. Marta arranged her artwork by which of the four seasons the subjects of her art fell into.

Goertzen-Armin, Marta, 1923-2009

Villagers' location

A sketch of a map showing the locations of families and buildings in the village of Chortitz, Manitoba (West Reserve) in the 1920s and 1930s. Includes one copy.

Goertzen-Armin, Marta, 1923-2009

The funeral

Sketches of the burial and funeral of Marta's mother.
"At the cemetery we wing, pray, and the minster "thanks off". Then he scatters the first handful of earth on the coffin... Village women brought butter and milk together yesterday to make the rolldough. This they carried to other women and took some themselves for baking. While we are at the cemetery, they set the coffee table: rolls, coffee and sugar cubes. The men eat first, then the women and the children."

Goertzen-Armin, Marta, 1923-2009

Father comforts

Sketches of a family in their rural house in Chortitz, Manitoba.
""There now, Mary, you can soon stop crying already. Mother has no more pain. You and Tina can sleep on the big bed. We're living in the whole house now. When we moved here Mother was not strong. That's why we used only the front room and the parlour. Abe is at Aunt Mary's for now." Mary says she can hear mother at night still rocking on the rocking chair."

Goertzen-Armin, Marta, 1923-2009

Birthday

Sketches of Marta's family celebrating a birthday in their home.
"Happy Birthday! After supper Tina and Mary secretly get a pillow. This is how we do it: we put the birthday child on it and tug his ears, one after the other: once for every year and an extra tug to grow on! We put up a mock defence but really quite enjoy it!"

Goertzen-Armin, Marta, 1923-2009

Nobody home

Sketch of a portion of a housebarn in rural Manitoba.
"Driving a long way by horse and buggy to visit some people, no telephones you know, and they weren't home, their door open, we went in, made ourselves some Faspa, thinking they'd be along by the time we were done. When it was time to go we left a sign we'd been there, the way people would to us if they'd come and we were away. This was taken in great good humour and there'd be much slapping on shoulders and laughter next time we'd meet."

Goertzen-Armin, Marta, 1923-2009

The band

Sketch of a band playing music, likely at a wedding.

Goertzen-Armin, Marta, 1923-2009

The wedding

Sketch of a wedding taking place outdoors in rural Manitoba.

Goertzen-Armin, Marta, 1923-2009

Manure pressing

Sketch of a family pressing manure into bricks in front of their housebarn, circa 1933.
"Manure Pressing in Spring. Chortitz by Winkler, Manitoba circa 1933"

Goertzen-Armin, Marta, 1923-2009

Large view with text

Sketch of a panoramic view of Marta Goertzen's childhood farm in Chortitz, Manitoba.
"Our Canadian prairie Mennonite village home recalled and drawn from memory of 1930 or so..."

Goertzen-Armin, Marta, 1923-2009

Barefoot

Sketches of children playing barefoot outside their houses.
"We dash home: "Daddy, Daddy, may we go barefoot this afternoon (too)? The other children do!" "You don't say! What nonsense! The earth isn't even thoroughly thawed out yet!" "Who goes barefoot?" asks Greet. "Well...!" "Don't tell me you want to become such snotpots too!" Not even "barefoot-in-the-shoes", not yet..."

Goertzen-Armin, Marta, 1923-2009

Chick by the stove

Sketches of Marta and another girl playing with baby chicks in front of the stove in their house.
"We enjoy the baby chicks coming out in spring! Lisa and I have to teach them to peck up crumbs and drink water. At first they cheep fearfully! Then, when we cover them in their big cardboard box behind the stove, they nestle together. With now and then a cheep, they sleep... We call them like this: cheep-cheep-cheep!"

Goertzen-Armin, Marta, 1923-2009

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