Kent Monkman, Resurgence of the People, 2019. 132 x 264 inches. Acrylic on canvas. Courtesy of the artist. Photo: Joseph Hartman.
Kent Monkman’s monumental paintings Resurgence of the People and Welcoming the Newcomers are on display in the Met’s Great Hall in New York. Met curator of modern and contemporary art Randall Griffey told CBC that “The Great Hall emits a great sense of cultural authority and meaning. That’s also one of the reasons we wanted to show his work here—to showcase these underrepresented stories, these histories that have been [erased] and to highlight them in this very public space.” (CBC, CTV)
Manuel Mathieu launches a fund to diversify the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts collection. The Haitian Canadian artist started the fund after the MMFA purchased a painting of Mathieu made depicting his grandmother Marie-Solange Apollon, after whom he then named the fund. (press release, CBC)
The Prime Minister’s mandate letter for the Minister of Canadian Heritage details a long list of priorities for the next four years. The Canadian Museums Association says it supports the mandate. (Office of the Prime Minister, Canadian Museums Association)
A Yoko Ono exhibition is coming to Contemporary Calgary in 2020. Plus, starting on January 23, visitors will be able to buy annual memberships for $20. (press release)
Canadian artists are being recognized internationally. Kika Thorne is showing as part of Forum Expanded at the Berlinale; two works by Sara Cwynar were acquired by the Museum of Modern Art (New York); and the first VR work by Randall Okita, as well as an AI work by Sandra Rodriguez, were selected for the 2020 Sundance Film Festival. (Berlinale, emailed press releases)
