Ottawa, March 12, 2012 — Canadians across the country can learn more about the Canada Council Art Bank by visiting a virtual presentation of signature artworks that begins today online and through social media. In celebration of the Art Bank’s 40th anniversary, 40 important works have been selected from Canada’s national collection of over 17,000 paintings, prints, photographs and sculptures – one representing each year of the Art Bank’s existence.
Weekly between now and October, the Canada Council Art Bank will post an important work that represents a year of the Art Bank’s existence. You can be the first to see them on the Canada Council Facebook page each Monday, starting today. Follow @Canadacouncil on Twitter for all the latest updates! This presentation can also be accessed through the Canada Council Art Bank website.
“Don’t miss this unique opportunity to travel through four decades of contemporary Canadian art,” said Robert Sirman, Director and CEO of the Canada Council. “This impressive collection belongs to all Canadians and will surprise even the most seasoned viewer.”
The virtual presentation that traces the evolution of contemporary Canadian art since 1972 will culminate with a special event at the Art Bank location. The exhibition Spotlight on 40 Years: Artworks from the Canada Council Art Bank will feature the 40 selected works during Culture Days, September 28-30. For the second time in its existence, the Bank will open its doors to the public, who will be able to view the entire collection in addition to this special 40th anniversary exhibition.
“Accessibility to contemporary art by Canada’s foremost artists is at the heart of what we do,” noted Victoria Henry, Director of the Canada Council Art Bank. “The 40th anniversary provides an opportunity to shine a spotlight on 40 works that show the diversity of artistic talent and expression in Canada. These works will be an introduction not only to the collection but to the artistic accomplishments of the decade in which they were produced.”
The Canada Council Art Bank today launched this virtual 40th anniversary celebration with the following artwork:
Joyce Wieland, Maple Leaf Forever II, 1972
Joyce Wieland’s Maple Leaf Forever II is a most appropriate work to represent the Canada Council Art Bank’s very first year. Created in 1972, this renowned work by one of Canada’s most celebrated artists features lightly-coloured female lips mouthing a patriotic song, framed in a series that references film and animation, set against a quilted cotton background with intricately stitched maple leaves. It is quintessential Joyce Wieland and is quintessentially Canadian.
Wieland, whose career included painting, fibre art, collage and film, was awarded the Canada Council’s Victor Martyn Lynch-Staunton Award in 1972. She lived in Toronto and New York, and died in 1998.
The Art Bank collection includes over 20 artworks by Joyce Wieland, from paintings to embroidery and fibre works.
See Maple Leaf Forever II on the Art Bank website at www.artbank.ca/en/40th.
The role of the Council is to foster and promote the study and enjoyment of, and the production of works in, the arts. To fulfill this mandate, the Council offers a broad range of grants and services to professional Canadian artists and arts organizations in dance, integrated arts, media arts, music, theatre, visual arts, and writing and publishing. It also promotes public awareness of the arts through its communications, research and arts promotion activities.
Mireille Allaire
Public Relations Officer
1-800-263-5588 or
613-566-4414, ext. 4523
Email this contact
Heather McAfee
Public Relations Officer
1-800-263-5588 or
613-566-4414, ext. 4166
Email this contact
