Journey through time as ancient, modern, and contemporary art come together in conversation. Inspired by the legendary Metamorphoses—an epic by the Roman poet Ovid— Metamorphoses: Visions of Antiquity in the Modern Era explores how artists have reimagined classical traditions over centuries.
For thousands of years, artists have not only drawn inspiration from the past, but also challenged its ideals. This exhibition features works by leading contemporary artists such as Shary Boyle, General Idea, Esmaa Mohamoud, and Kent Monkman, who critique the legacies of classical antiquity in bold ways. These groundbreaking works are displayed alongside highlights from the 1800s and 1900s, drawn from the Art Gallery of Hamilton’s collection and major public and private loans.
As part of the exhibition, visitors will enjoy the rare opportunity to experience Marc Chagall’s Daphnis & Chloé—a series of 42 colour lithograph prints—in its entirety.
Metamorphoses: Visions of Antiquity in the Modern Era brings together art spanning millennia to present transformation as an enduring artistic impulse and theory of artistic creation.
