Blog

‘Undercurrents’ is an oil on linen painting, 103″x133″ that will debut in the exhibition  “Water Eau 水 Mînî पानी Wasser מים Acqua پانی Tubig H2O”, curated by Anne Ewan and featuring the art of historical and contemporary Canadian artists from Tom Thomson to Ken Danby and David Thauberger.

“This exhibition includes visually stunning and timely orchestrated compilations of historic and contemporary painting, video and installations that examine the beauty and peculiarity of Earth’s greatest resource. Acclaimed throughout time for its unpredictability, tranquil qualities, ritual and hygienic uses, nourishment and abundance, the purity of water and its sources are under threat. Our existence is contingent on water.

Canada is bound by three oceans and strewn with multiple fresh lakes, rivers, waterfalls and aquifers. Historically, Canada’s waterways supported Indigenous communities, the fur trade and explorers whose travels contributed to the settlement, urbanization, economic development and transportation of the nation. Reflected in literature, music, poetry, theatre, dance and art, water continues to be synonymous with Canadian identity.

The exhibition presents works of art from private and public collections and features a range of styles from the early 19th century to the present. Through the works of art presented in “Water”, the viewer is invited to explore a diverse range of artistic approaches that include representational imagery of rivers and lakes in the landscape, to life affirming and threatening metaphorical associations. The exhibition encourages contemplation of alternative perspectives, grounded in our real-world fascination with and increasing recognition of the global challenges that arise in relation to this precious natural resource, in the face of changing climatic conditions.” – Anne Ewan, Senior Curator, Whyte Museum of The Canadian Rockies.

“As a living female contemporary artist, I am thrilled to see my work positioned in context with my early mentor, Ken Danby and Group of Seven members Franz Johnson and Tom Thomson.” – Janice Iniskimaki Tanton

‘Undercurrents’ is the first in a series of large-scale works by Tanton that explore our contemporary Canadian nationality and attachment to this great land. It was created at The Banff Centre as part of a Leighton Colony Residency.

Please join Janice Tanton at the debut of this major and important Canadian work at the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, Banff Alberta on Sunday, June 14 1 – 4 pm.

(Artist in attendance 3 – 4 pm.)