Often called the "Olympics of the Art World," the Venice Biennale is a prestigious international visual arts exhibition with a history spanning 123 years. Since 1952, Canada has officially participated, sending representatives every two years.
Canada in Venice showcases artworks from the School of Art Gallery's collection by Canadian artists who have exhibited at the Biennale. The exhibition invites reflection on the political and economic dimensions of the art world, exploring the genres, mediums, and figures chosen to represent the nation.
Featured artists: David Milne, Alfred Pellan, Bertram Charles Binning, Jean-Paul Riopelle, Jack Shadbolt, Harold Town, Graham Coughtry, Alex Colville, Yves Gaucher, Guido Molinari, Michael Snow, Greg Curnoe, Janet Cardiff, and George Bures Miller.
Key questions include:
- What do these works reveal about Canada’s artistic evolution?
- What does it mean for art to represent a nation?
- Is the Biennale a fair reflection of global artistic trends?
- Who and what are excluded from this narrative?
Exhibition Essay: Genevieve Farrell | Canada in Venice – PDF link TBD