McMichael Canadian Art Collection

Over 40 years of Joe Fafard’s cows, horses and more, now featured at the McMichael after a record-breaking exhibition at the National Gallery of Canada

June 5, 2008 Kleinburg, ON–From June 28 to September 14, 2008, visitors to the McMichael Canadian Art Collection will have the opportunity to experience the world of popular Saskatchewan artist Joe Fafard. Best known for his bronze sculpture of cows resting in a field, installed in the canyons of Toronto’s Bay Street banking towers, Fafard’s works—ceramic, bronze, plaster and steel sculptures of cows, horses and portraiture will be on display at the McMichael.

In celebration of a successful career that spans over four decades, the Joe Fafard exhibition, focuses primarily on Fafard’s extraordinary sculptures—which vary in size from small clay figures to larger-than-life bronze and steel works. The exhibit presents visitors with sixty-eight pieces of Fafard’s collection including; his trademark rural pieces of cows and horses, portraiture work of family, friends, Aboriginal heritage, politicians and some of Fafard’s drawings.

Joe Fafard will be at the McMichael on Canada Day, Tuesday, July 1, 2008 from noon to 4:00 p.m. to celebrate the opening of the exhibition and sign copies of his biographical catalogue, Joe Fafard. Visitors will enjoy a sculpture-making demonstration, guided tours, live music and the opportunity to meet Joe Fafard.

“We are extremely excited to host Joe’s first major retrospective. It’s a remarkable collection of artwork created by such a talented Canadian artist.” said Tom Smart, Executive Director and CEO for the McMichael. “This exhibition is a mirage of mediums and sizes and a great reflection of Joe’s exceptional skill, wit and humour.”

Organized by the MacKenzie Art Gallery and the National Gallery of Canada (NGC). This project has been made possible in part through a contribution from the Museums Assistance Program, Department of Canadian Heritage, and the NGC`s travelling exhibitions program, which is generously supported by the Distinguished Patrons of the National Gallery of Canada Foundation On Tour Endowment–a Fund that was inspired by Fafard's iconic sculpture Running Horses and created to make important art accessible to Canadians across the country. The McMichael is the second institution to hold the touring exhibit after the NGC.

The Joe Fafard exhibition has been curated by Terrence Heath. Mr. Heath is one of Canada’s most distinguished curators and art historians. He is also the award-winning author of numerous books, including the recently published biography of Canadian sculptor Joe Fafard.

About the Gallery

The McMichael Canadian Art Collection is an agency of the Government of Ontario and acknowledges the support of the Ministry of Culture. It is the foremost venue in the country showcasing the Group of Seven and their contemporaries. In addition to touring exhibitions, its permanent collection consists of more than 5,500 artworks, including paintings by the Group of Seven and their contemporaries, First Nations and Inuit artists.

The gallery is located on Islington Avenue, north of Major Mackenzie Drive in Kleinburg, and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

-30-

List of works