First Nations Art
Canadians have inherited from the original occupants their art of living in symbiosis with nature. Today, recognition of Aboriginal peoples includes the promotion of their artistic traditions. In Vancouver, totem poles are a reminder of the complexity of a heritage inseparable from its mythology.Walkers will not fail to stroll in Stanley Park to admire these wooden sculptures proudly erected in the wilderness. The MOA, or Vancouver Anthropological Museum, invites visitors to gain a better understanding of Canada's cultural identity through its collection, which is unique in the world. The life of the First Nations is retraced through totem poles but also through works of art including Inuit stone and bone carvings and engravings. Showcases of artefacts and everyday objects crown this vast overview of the Amerindian world.Until the 19th century
The painter Paul Kane (1810-1871), born in Ireland and died in Toronto, accomplished a true documentary work by painting the lives of the people of his time.
To retrace the stages of culture in the northwestern part of the continent, the Glenbow Museum in Calgary combines a historical and artistic approach. Illustrations by travelling artists, railway scenes sponsored by the Canadian Pacific Railway, and Arctic explorers follow one another in its galleries. Although there are more engravings and drawings, all means of expression participate in this exhibition, which tells the story of Canada from the 19th century to the present day. Another part brings together objects from cultures around the world as well as a collection of precious stones and minerals. It should be remembered that the Inuit people are in fact made up of a wide variety of ethnic groups scattered over an immense territory. Their creations can be classified in two groups: everyday objects and rituals. At the end of the 1940s, art was considered by the Inuit as a solution to their profound economic difficulties. They began to produce ivory and soapstone carvings for sale in markets. Soon after, they began to learn about printmaking. Several communities adopted this discipline to sell representations in cooperatives. Notable artists include Norval Morrisseau, Alex Janvier and Gerald Tailfeathers. The Glenbow Museum has a fine collection of Inuit art from the early days of so-called commercial art, including sculptures and prints from Cape Dorset.Towards the 20th century
The transition to the 20th century is characterized by individual expression and stylistic freedom. In the first half of the 20th century, Alberta artists were influenced by their peers who came to teach in the region. Professional artists' associations and specialized schools were formed, fostering the development of a generation of local artists. Landscape remains the major theme, but the currents that revolutionized art in Europe gradually permeated the Canadian style. Expressionism, Surrealism and Cubism were added to previous inspirations.
Around 1950, the main influences shifted to the United States, starting with abstract expressionism. Abstraction, in its most diverse forms, then reached the Canadian West. However, in this part of the world, abstraction more readily evokes nature than anywhere else.
The Vancouver Art Gallery's permanent collection includes major 20th century artists such as Group of Seven painters Jeff Wall and Marc Chagall. The many paintings by Victoria-born artist Emily Carr (1871-1945), a key figure in modern Canadian painting, provide an excellent approach to her vision of nature and the indigenous people of British Columbia. Also noteworthy is Canadian painter Sophie Pemberton (1869-1959), who was the first woman to receive the Julian Academy Award. On all four floors, ancient art has its place alongside more recent periods.
Also in Vancouver, Galerie Chali-Rosso exhibits an eclectic collection of surprising quality. In this space of rare elegance, we find so many masters that it seems unreal: Dali, Renoir, Rembrandt, Matisse or Picasso. And, not to spoil anything, the entrance is free.More recently
In the 1970s, social themes dominated the art scene. The Western world is questioned through notions of identity, origin and gender. New means of expression such as video art, installations or photography took precedence over fine art and dealt with profound subjects.
Edward Burtynsky (born in 1955 in Ontario) is one of Canada's leading photographers. Renowned for his industrial landscapes, he has consistently denounced the effects of human activity on the environment. His large formats entitled "altered landscapes" offer an ironic vision of the nature-culture opposition. While sublimating the beauty of wilderness, his images show the dramatic consequences of progress on nature. One of his most striking series is about the tar sands in northern Alberta. His photographs have been included in the collections of some 50 museums. He is notably represented by the Paul Kuhn Gallery in Calgary.Contemporary Aboriginal Art
The Bill Reid Museum in Vancouver is one of the few cultural venues dedicated to contemporary Aboriginal art from Canada's North Coast. Its collection is enlivened by special exhibitions dedicated to young Indigenous artists. The museum is named after Canadian Haida painter, sculptor, goldsmith and writer Bill Reid (1920-1998). As a reminder, the Haida are an Aboriginal community in British Columbia. According to the famous anthropologist and ethnologist Claude Lévi-Strauss, Bill Reid literally saved the Haida culture. Bill Reid began his career at the age of 30 with the goal of reviving the artistic tradition of the Haida. It was through his intervention that the totem poles of the Queen Charlotte Islands were saved. They then found their place in front of the UBC Museum of Anthropology in Vancouver. This same museum now houses his imposing 1973 sculpture, The Raven and the First Men, which represents the origins of the Haida community. For the record, in Haida mythology, the Raven created humanity by freeing humans enclosed in a huge clam shell. Travellers stopping at the Vancouver International Airport will have the chance to view his majestic Spirit of Haida Gwaii
sculpture. In thetourist area of Granville Island, the Eagle Spirit Gallery is dedicated to contemporary Native American artists. It is renowned for promoting only authentic paintings and sculptures.Nowadays
Western Canadian artists like to join forces. The Contemporary Art Gallery is a pioneer in this regard and is the last remaining gallery of its kind in Vancouver. It is independent and strives to promote access to culture for as many people as possible, but this does not prevent it from being demanding in its programming. Every six weeks, a new hanging is proposed to showcase a local artist or movement.
Another collaborative venue, the Arts Off Main Gallery is run by nine artists and artisans who love to blur boundaries. The cooperative showcases paintings, prints, photographs and pottery. Among its founders, Danielle Louise composes colourful abstractions, Lee Sanger aspires to be a Miss Van Gogh, Tanya Boy specializes in watercolour and Tom Antil in pointillist-inspired landscapes.
The Rennie Museum in Vancouver offers free guided tours. However, an appointment is required for an informative presentation of the collection of Bob Rennie, a real estate developer who has taken up residence in the Asian Quarter. The museum regularly invites prestigious artists such as Martin Creed, Mona Hatoum or Yoko Ono, who has installed his Mend Piece.
In Manitoba, the Sculpture Garden offers a green addition to the art gallery of the Maison des artistes visuels francophones. Open to all disciplines, it is intended to reflect the soul of the community. It particularly supports young artists through workshops and residencies.
A young urban art
Street art has only been allowed in Vancouver for a very short time. Some graffiti slowly blossomed on the streets before the first major mural was shown to the public. Among the pioneers, the mysterious local artist iHeart was scattering stencil creations that were regularly erased before their time. But all that changed in 2016 thanks to the Vancouver Mural Festival. The mission of this official association is to ease social tensions by giving pride of place to artistic communities. Its action is partly in line with the policy of reconciliation with First Nations. Urban art now has an official place thanks to the dedication of the festival's organizers, who work in collaboration with the City. The artists, mainly from Canada but also from the four corners of the world, are selected on the basis of a dossier. They work on the subject of their choice. The only requirement is to obtain permission from the owner of the support, whether it be a wall, the ground, a garbage can or any other inspiring surface.
Huge works also emerge outside the festival. Downtown Vancouver is currently reserving nuggets of all styles for public art hunters. Whole walls are often adorned with multicoloured paintings. We advise you to keep your eyes open at all times.
There are two areas to explore as you stroll through the city: north of Broadway Avenue and Main Street. The small perpendicular streets are just waiting to reveal their treasures. More graffiti awaits you between Mount Pleasant and Olympic Village. The festival offers a map of urban artwork, but it does not list all of it. Now Vancouver is the scene of a veritable explosion of street art that no longer waits for festivals.
Afew leads for enthusiasts. The first large-format public works to appear in Vancouver are probably the painted silos of Ocean Concrete on Granville Island. Also to be seen: the magnificent Canada Secret Mountains fresco (at 325 West 4th Avenue), painted by the international artist Okuda San Miguel; the Lady Mermaids of Chazillah / Nik Martin; the blue palisade made by Khelsilem who wrote in musqueam language (a people from British Columbia): "Is this our land?
