Sep 19, 2020 to Jan 1, 2021
The Ties that Bind Us
About the Exhibition
Artists: William Berczy (1744–1813), John William Beatty (1869–1941), Ted Bieler, Neville Clarke, Kathleen Daly (1898–1994), Alma Duncan (1917–2004), Atungauyak Eeseemailee (1923–1989), Sorel Etrog (1933–2014), Audrey Garwood (1927–2004), A. Y. Jackson (1882–1974), Kiakshuk (1886–1966), Daphne Odjig (1919–2016), Napachie Pootoogook (1938–2002), Charlotte Price (1796–1868), Pudlo Pudlat (1916–1992), Christina Sealey, Yvonne Singer, Dorothy Stevens (1888–1966), F. H. Varley (1881–1969), York Wilson (1907–1984), Florence Wyle (1881–1968)
Exhibitions are a form of visual storytelling. In place of words on a page, artworks are arranged side by side, becoming entangled in a plot of the curator’s choosing. Narrative threads, however intangible, meander from object to object through the gallery, weaving a story that draws us forward through space. Viewers are not passive observers of this drama, but active participants who bring their own interpretation to the unfolding scene. Much like a choose-your-own adventure book, these personal interpretations enrich the intended narrative, creating an ever-expanding dialogue between the viewer and the works on display.
The ties that bind us highlights the Varley Art Gallery of Markham’s ever-growing permanent collection. Gathering what might seem at first glance to be disparate works from various periods and makers; together these objects speak to the various aspects of our holdings. Including different approaches to painting, drawing, printmaking and sculpture, the works presented are organized around four central themes or chapters.
Portraits of women reflect our persistent interest in the human form while revealing the gendered and cultural perspectives of their creators. One series of works presents images of the hand – as a means of recording memory and of forging bonds with others. Arctic landscapes, by both Inuit and Southern artists, allow us to think critically about issues of representation and agency. Finally, we consider the depiction of architectural elements, both as a travel log and as an exploration of shape and form.
