Art Gallery of Hamilton’s Fall 2008 Exhibition Schedule
The Art Gallery of Hamilton’s Fall 2008 exhibition schedule sees an expansive exploration of the theme of labour in art, two exhibitions of master printmakers, a private collection of late 19th- and early 20th-century European paintings and the startling range of powerful photography from its earliest exploration in the late 19th century to the current state of the art.
On view from September 13, 2008 to January 4, 2009, Blood, Sweat and Tears: Labour in Art presents a singular subject of late 19th-century and early 20th-century European, Canadian and American art – labour and the labouring body, and their diverse artistic expression and meanings in a period of unprecedented change. Blood, Sweat and Tears embraces paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings and photographs created in the 100-year span between 1850 and 1950. From idealized and nostalgic 19th-century representations of the peasant to gritty 20th-century social realist views of the industrial worker, the exhibition includes works by such diverse artists as Realist and Impressionist artists Camille Pissaro, Jean-Louis Forain, John Singer Sargeant, the major American photographer Lewis Hine and Canadians William Blair Bruce, Maurice Cullen and Alex Colville, whose iconic work Horse and Train makes a welcome return. Blood, Sweat and Tears is generously supported by Effort Trust, The Hutton Family, The Hamilton Spectator and Hamilton Magazine.
The bold expressionism and versatile experimentation of artist Leonard Baskin, one of the great masters of 20th-century printmaking, will be on view from September 13, 2008 to January 4, 2009 in the exhibition Baskin in Black and White: TD Waterhouse Great Masters Series. Focusing primarily on a selection of Baskin’s powerful prints, the exhibition will also feature two bronzes by the artist included in the Gallery’s Joey and Toby Tanenbaum Collection.
Described by the National Post as “the stuff of art stardom”, Montreal artist Pascal Grandmaison’s crisp minimalist aesthetic scrutinizes beauty, form and limitations of his subjects. In Pascal Grandmaison: Double Take, on view from September 27, 2008 to January 4, 2009, the artist’s recent film and photographic work are explorations of the boundaries between space and emotion, progress and history, and moving and still images. Exhibition partners are Mark A. Rizzo and Thoman Soule LLP.
Considered one of the leading members of Canadian print artists and a major social realist, Hamilton-based artist Leonard Hutchinson (1896-1980) worked predominantly during the Great Depression in which he experienced the hardships of the average Canadian. On view from October 4, 2008 to April 13, 2009, Inspiration through Struggle: Leonard Hutchinson and The Great Depression features 20 prints depicting scenes of labour, portraits of working men and the agricultural landscape executed by the artist between 1930 and 1940 .
Also on view on Gallery Level Two and in the Jean and Ross Fischer Gallery, with free admission courtesy of Orlick Industries:
Continuing the AGH’s commitment to share significant private collections, Light, Colour, and Grace: The Romeo Paintings Collection, on view from October 4, 2008 to March 29, 2009, features thirty-one paintings from the local collection of Dr. Michael and Mrs. Mary Romeo. Focusing primarily on European art of the late 19th and 20th centuries, the exhibition includes the work of diverse painters of French, British, German, Dutch, Italian, and other nationalities, ranging from landscapes, townscapes, and seascapes to rural and urban scenes of everyday life. Exhibition Partners: BMO Financial Group, Barton Radiologists, The Graham Munro Charitable Foundation, National Steel Car, and Dr. Michael A. and Mrs. Mary Romeo. Exhibition Friends: Alexanian Carpet & Flooring, Howard and Sharon Campbell, Blair A. and Andrea Cerello, Carolyn and Stephen Czuba and Arthur and Margaret Fairrie.
Late 19th-century photographer Eadward Muybridge set out to document the gamut of human and animal locomotion in groundbreaking explorations. In Motion: The Photography of Eadweard Muybridge, on view until March 22, 2009, presents ten collotypes from Muybridge’s pioneering project in the field of motion studies photography, first published in 1887. These images are as fascinating as insightful illustrations of 19th-century social attitudes toward gender roles, as they are for understanding the way we move.
On view in the Jean and Ross Fischer Gallery, with free admission courtesy of Orlick Industries:
The Architecture of John M. Lyle: Past and Present, on view from September 27 to November 9, 2009, is the latest in a series of community shows offered through the agency of the local branch of the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario. This exhibition presents images of the work of John Lyle, a leading Canadian architect who conceived nationally celebrated buildings such as Toronto’s Union Station and The Royal Alexandra Theatre. Spending his childhood in Hamilton, Lyle later designed many of Hamilton’s great landmarks and was a prominent proponent of Hamilton’s City Beautiful Movement in the first decade of the 20th century.
The work of award-winning, New York-based jazz photographer Jimmy Katz will be on view from November 15, 2008 to January 25, 2009 in the exhibition Hamilton/New York: Portraits of Sound – Photographs by Jimmy Katz. Over the past twenty years, Katz has photographed the breadth of the jazz community, creating stunning images of both the icons, and the emerging talent. For this special exhibition, Katz’s photographs of New York City jazz musicians will be paired with images of influential and prominent Hamilton musicians, taken by Katz in Hamilton. This exhibition, co-curated by Astrid Hepner and Luca Salvatore, is presented by the Hamilton Music Collective in association with The Hamilton Spectator, Jeff Schall, (Investment Advisor, Schall Advisory Team, TD Waterhouse), Cogeco, ArcelorMittal Dofasco, The PasWord Group, Long & McQuade, Judy Marsales Real Estate Ltd.
The Art Gallery of Hamilton’s programming activities are assisted by the City of Hamilton, Ontario Arts Council, Canada Council for the Arts, and the Department of Canadian Heritage.
The Art Gallery of Hamilton has organized an engaging lineup of film, performance, children’s, family and adult programming to complement its varied roster of exhibitions. For complete exhibition and programming information, please visit www.artgalleryofhamilton.com.
Art Gallery of Hamilton is located at 123 King Street West in downtown Hamilton, 905-527-6610. Gallery hours: Tuesday and Wednesday Noon to 7 pm, Thursday and Friday Noon to 9 pm, Saturday and Sunday Noon to 5 pm. Closed Mondays. The AGH is open from Noon to 5 pm on statutory holidays, including Thanksgiving Day (Monday, October 13). The Gallery will be closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
