The Art Gallery of Hamilton is renowned for its permanent collection. It has been thoughtfully built over the last century by individuals both inside and outside its walls. Artists, directors, curators, donors, dealers, volunteers and many more have had a hand in shaping the holdings. On the occasion our 110th anniversary, we foreground this crucial context: who built the collection and how did they do it?
Six directors have led the AGH over its history: Thomas Reid (T. R.) MacDonald (1947-1973) (represented by this daughter artist Katherine MacDonald), Glen Cumming (1973-1989), Robert Swain (1990-1991), Ted Pietrzak (1992-1998), Louise Dompierre (1998-2014) and Shelley Falconer (2015 to present). This exhibition highlights their choices and voices regarding collection building during their leadership. Each one will select key works acquired during their terms and in so doing reflect on collecting decisions and strategies as a means of considering the holdings today.
What were their priorities? What challenges did they face? How do their choices reflect broader socio-cultural, political and artistic trends of the day? In placing curatorial responsibility and process in the hands of the Directors, these questions and more will provide windows into each period of collection building and how, collectively, they have shaped the AGH permanent collection.
Featured Image:
Gershon Iskowitz (Canadian 1919 – 1988), Uplands K, 1972, oil on canvas. Gift of Mr. John Morris Thurston and Wintario, 1977.
Reinhard Reitzenstein (Canadian b.1949), Spike Virus, 1989, steel. Purchased with funds from the Ministry of Culture and Communications, and the Volunteer Committee Fund, 1993.
Other:
Nathan Eugene Carson (Canadian b.1980), Praying Hands (Meditation), 2020, mixed media on paper. Permissions courtesy of the artist.
Tony Scherman (Canadian 1950 – 2023), Rape of Callisto: Birth of Arcas, 1993, encaustic on canvas. Gift of the artist, 1994.
Lynn Donoghue (Canadian 1953 – 2003), Four Tradesmen, 1983 – 1984, oil on canvas and mixed media. Gift of David and Vivian Campbell, 1991.
Donna Ibing (Canadian b.1947), Persephone Goddesses #5, 1991, woodcut on paper. Gift from the Zonta Club Fund, 1992.
John Scott (Canadian 1950 – 2022), Mars Bunny, 1984, mixed media, acrylic on paper. Acquired with the assistance of the Alfred Wavell Peene and Susan Nottle Peene Memorial, 1993.