Work by the eight laureates of the Governor General's Awards in Visual and Media Arts featured in new exhibition at the National Gallery of Canada
OTTAWA, March 27, 2019 /CNW/ - #GGArts, opening March 28, 2019, features a selection of outstanding work by the 2019 laureates of the Governor General's Awards for lifetime achievement in the visual and media arts. Organized by the National Gallery of Canada in collaboration with the Canada Council for the Arts, the exhibition showcases the remarkable careers of eight Canadian laureates.
"Celebrating the body of work created by these artists during their lifetime is immensely fulfilling," said Anne Eschapasse, Interim Co-Director and CEO and Deputy Director of Exhibitions and Outreach. "We are proud to continue partnering with the Canada Council to share these exceptional works with our visitors from across Canada and around the world."
On view until August 4, 2019, #GGArts presents work by Stephen Andrews, Marlene Creates, COZIC, Susan Edgerley, Ali Kazimi, Lee-Ann Martin, Andrew James Paterson and Jeff Thomas. Created by the Governor General and the Canada Council for the Arts, these annual awards celebrate Canadians whose talent and accomplishments have significantly contributed to art in Canada.
"This year's winners have taken risks and greatly contributed to the society in which we live," said Tara Lapointe, Director, Outreach and Business Development, Canada Council for the Arts. "That is why they are eminently deserving of our recognition in this exhibition for their contributions to the lives of all Canadians and to a vibrant and dynamic arts scene."
#GGArts was organized by a team of curators from the National Gallery of Canada. Nicole Burisch, Assistant Curator, Contemporary Art; Jasmine Inglis, Curatorial Assistant, Indigenous Art and Adam Welch, Associate Curator, Canadian Art made a selection of art, documents and video portraits for the show.
"It was such a pleasure to work with this year's laureates in preparing this exhibition and to reflect with them on their impressive careers and accomplishments," said the curatorial team. "By bringing together works of art and projects created by this year's eight laureates, we wanted to represent the variety and complexity of contemporary art practices in this country. Through painting, sculpture, photography, installation, video, and curatorial projects, our selection for the exhibition shows the extraordinary achievements of the winners."
#GGArts presents a broad selection of work, including Facsimile, Part 1 (1991), an installation by Toronto artist Stephen Andrews, and Mammary Complex (1970), a sculpture by COZIC - the art team consisting of Yvon Cozic and Monic Brassard of Sainte-Anne-de-la-Rochelle, Quebec. Photographic works include images from the series The Distance Between Two Points is Measured in Memories (1988) by conceptual artist Marlene Creates of Portugal Cove, Newfoundland, and four photographs from the Indians on Tour series by Ottawa-based photographer Jeff Thomas. Videos are featured in Fair Play (2014), an installation by Toronto documentarian Ali Kazimi, and The Enigma of S.A.P. (2008) by Toronto video artist and writer Andrew James Paterson.
Visitors will also see work by glass artist Susan Edgerley of Val-Morin, Quebec, who is this year's recipient of the Saidye Bronfman Award for excellence in fine crafts. Lee-Ann Martin, an independent curator of Indigenous art, is the 2019 winner of the Outstanding Contribution Award. Her body of work is represented with a timeline of her career, and a selection of catalogues showcasing her many curatorial projects.
#GGArts, which occupies three galleries in the Contemporary Art wing, also includes video portraits of the winners commissioned by the Canada Council for the Arts and directed by Canadian filmmakers, as well as excerpts from the nomination submissions.
To learn more about the laureates and the exhibition, please visit NGC Magazine to read "Lasting Legacy the Winners of the 2019 Governor Generals Awards In Visual and Media Art," and visit the exhibition page on the Gallery website.
Background
The Governor General's Awards in Visual and Media Arts were created in 1999 by the Canada Council for the Arts and the Governor General of Canada. The National Gallery of Canada has mounted an exhibition to celebrate each year's laureates since the first GGAVMAs were awarded in 2000.
Exhibition Opening
The public is invited to view works by this year's #GGArts winners on Thursday, March 28, 2019, from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. in the Scotiabank Great Hall. Visitors will have an opportunity to meet the artists and to hear from curators Nicole Burisch, Jasmine Inglis and Adam Welch, as well as Simon Brault, Director and CEO of the Canada Council for the Arts. This event is free of charge and open to the public.
Meet the Experts: Adam Welch, Nicole Burisch, and Jasmine Inglis
Join Nicole Burisch, Assistant Curator, Contemporary Art, Jasmine Inglis, Curatorial Assistant, Indigenous Art, and Adam Welch, Associate Curator, Canadian Art for a tour of #GGArts on Saturday, April 6, 2019, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. The curators will discuss the laureates' practices and work during the tour, which begins in room B101. Included with admission to the Gallery. In English with bilingual question period.
In Conversation with Lee-Ann Martin and Jeff Thomas — Moderated by Greg Hill
The conversation between laureates Lee-Ann Martin and Jeff Thomas — moderated by Greg Hill, Audain Senior Curator, Indigenous Art — explores the artists' views on the current state and possible future paths of Indigenous art in Canada. Held in the NGC auditorium on June 13, 2019, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. In English with simultaneous interpretation and a bilingual question period. Free to public. Webcast (English and French streams).
SOURCE National Gallery of Canada
For media only: To plan an interview, obtain images, or more information, please contact: National Gallery of Canada, Geneviève Ménard, Media Relations Manager, 613.990.1654, gmenard@gallery.ca
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