McMichael Unveils its Latest Major Acquisition for the Collection
September 1, 2009 Kleinburg, ON —The McMichael Canadian Art Collection unveiled its latest addition to the Collection today with the installation of a twenty-foot totem pole created by Don Yeomans, one of the most highly respected artists on the Northwest Coast of British Columbia. It is the latest art acquisition for the McMichael, which holds one of the best collections of Canadian art and is renowned for showcasing beloved works by Tom Thomson and the famed Group of Seven.
Don Yeomans is one of the many artists represented in the gallery’s current exhibition and publication, Challenging Traditions: Contemporary First Nations Art of the Northwest Coast. He is a Haida artist from B.C.’s Northwest Coast whose works are installed in the University of British Columbia’s Museum of Anthropology, the Royal British Columbia Museum, the Canadian Museum of Civilization, and the Seattle Art Museum. Earlier this year, the gallery, with funding provided by the McMichael Canadian Art Foundation, commissioned the full-scale totem pole by this artist to create a new, unique piece for the Collection that will remain on permanent view in the gallery’s Grand Hall. By acquiring it, the McMichael builds upon a collecting tradition inspired by Mr. and Mrs. McMichael, who were ardent collectors of Northwest Coast art, and presents an artwork to the public that reflects the artistic diversity of our country and supports artistic and curatorial excellence.
“We are very appreciative of the McMichael Canadian Art Foundation for their spirited support and financial contribution to allow the commissioning of this important work of art by Don Yeomans, one of this country’s pre-eminent contemporary First Nations artists,” said McMichael Executive Director and CEO, Tom Smart.
On the totem pole, Yeomans uses traditional iconography and totemic animals as a point of departure to comment on today’s different modes of technological communication. With this imagery, which includes an eagle holding a cell phone and a frog with a laptop computer, the artist challenges the tradition of representing the theme of totems as emblems of interpersonal and spiritual communications.
Pictured Above: Artist Don Yeomans proudly stands beside the McMichael's new totem pole installed in the gallery's Grand Hall.
About the McMichael
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 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
For further information:
Stephen Weir, Publicist
Gallery: 905.893.1121 ext. 2529
Toronto Office: 416.489.5868
Cell: 416.801.3101
s1weir@aol.com or sweir5492@rogers.com
Cathy Lepiane, Communications Coordinator
McMichael Canadian Art Collection
905.893.1121 ext. 2210
clepiane@mcmichael.com
