Ottawa, April 23, 2009 – The Canada Council Art Bank is acquiring 55 new works by Canadian artists of African, Asian, Middle Eastern, Latin American and mixed racial heritage to enhance its collection of original contemporary Canadian art. The peer assessment committee chose the works from over 530 submissions received. The total value of the artworks is just over $230,000.

 

The primary objectives of this purchase were to increase the awareness of culturally diverse artists about the programs offered by the Canada Council; complement the Art Bank’s collection; and respond to the increasing cultural diversity of Canada’s population. The works were selected on the basis of artistic excellence, significance to current art practice and suitability for rental.

 

“We are delighted with the results,” said Art Bank Director Victoria Henry. “The Art Bank purchase of works by these Canadian artists provided an opportunity to understand how artists from culturally diverse backgrounds tell their stories: stories with autobiographical commentary, use of repetition, subtle references to traditional practices and humour.”

 

She added, “The works purchased include photographs, embroidery, ceramics and paintings, and reflect the knowledge of current art practice in Canada while at the same time incorporating messages of personal histories. One object is a colourful ceramic and found materials sculpture constructed to represent a constant cycle of birth and transformation. Another is a striking photograph of an Iranian woman reading on a bus. These are important acquisitions for our clients who are looking for edgier contemporary work.”

 

The members of the peer assessment committee were: Andrea Fatona, curator (Ottawa); Peggy Gale, writer/critic (Toronto); Enrique Ferreol, artist/educator (Halifax); Marie-Jeanne Musiol, artist (Gatineau, QC); Camilla Singh, curator (Toronto); and Henry Tsang, educator (Vancouver).

 

General information: The Art Bank, which has the largest collection of contemporary Canadian art in the world, was created in 1972 to support the efforts of Canadian visual artists and to provide public sector institutions with the opportunity to rent Canadian art for their offices and public spaces. The Art Bank includes some 17,400 artworks, and currently has close to 7,000 works rented to more than 200 government and corporate clients. Media Contact: Carole Breton: 613-566-4414 or 1-800-263-5588, ext. 4523 carole.breton@canadacouncil.ca Grace Thrasher: 613-566-4414 or 1-800-263-5588, ext. 5145 grace.thrasher@canadacouncil.ca