[BCMA] Nanaimo Art Gallery Announces Exciting New Additions To Permanent Collection

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MEDIA RELEASE

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Nanaimo Art Gallery Announces Exciting New Additions To Permanent Collection

 

(NANAIMO, BC - June 12, 2013) Nanaimo Art Gallery (NAG) has been chosen as
the honoured recipient of several historically significant and valuable
pieces of art from the private collections of two estates. Recognizing the
relevance of the work to the region, and the gallery's commitment to
building a diverse collection, the families have generously donated select
pieces by two prominent BC artists: Ian Garrioch and Alistair Bell. In
addition to these donations, the gallery has also purchased two works by the
internationally acclaimed Canadian artist, Sonny Assu. 

 

Jim Weeks of Courtenay, BC, honoured the memory of his wife, Sandra Lou
Weeks, with his donation of a triptych entitled, "Reflections On The Cosmic
Self" (1995) by Nanoose Bay artist, and former VIU (Malaspina) professor of
nearly 30 years, Ian Garrioch. Garrioch's influence on generations of local
artists is currently being celebrated in a retrospective at Nanaimo Art
Gallery's campus location at VIU entitled, "Ian Garrioch: Universe In a
Jar", where the newly acquired piece can be viewed. 

 

Alan Bell of North Vancouver, BC, son of the highly esteemed printmaker
Alistair Bell, has generously donated twenty-seven objects including
drawings, watercolours, woodcuts, and an original woodcut block, from his
father's body of work. Vancouver Island holds historical significance and
warm memories for the Bell family, and Nanaimo Art Gallery was chosen, among
other reasons, because of its proximity to Yellow Point and Tofino,
locations that inspired much of Alistair Bell's work. Alan Bell hopes this
donation will, "inspire other important regional artists (and their estates)
to make similar donations to the NAG", and that the collection will, "serve
as a major building block toward a greatly expanded collection of regional
artists at the NAG". The gallery plans to exhibit Bell's work in the fall of
2013, in celebration of what would have been his 100th birthday.

 

Nanaimo Art Gallery also continues to build its collection through key
purchases like the recently acquired works by interdisciplinary Canadian
artist, Sonny Assu. Assu's work is featured in prominent galleries
throughout Canada and the U.S., and was exhibited at Nanaimo Art Gallery in
2012 in a dual exhibition entitled, "Ebb & Flow: Sonny Assu & Rande Cook".
The new acquisitions include two acrylic on hide drums entitled,
"#occupyconsumption" (2011) and "iDrum: Personal Totems #3" (2009).
Exhibition details to be announced. 

 

As the only public art museum in the central island region, and with support
building for an expanded downtown facility, new acquisitions are critical
for creating a nationally & internationally relevant public cultural
resource. Julie Bevan, Executive/Artistic Director of Nanaimo Art Gallery
explains, "these are very significant additions to our collection. The
artwork by Bell, Assu and Garrioch, though vastly different, connect in
meaningful ways to our unique place in the world and will resonate with the
people of this region long into the future". In regards to the implications
of the donations, Bevan states, "these gifts are good examples of our
regional impact-it shows that people outside of Nanaimo want to contribute
to our community by supporting the gallery."

 

Media Contact: Julie Bevan, Executive/Artistic Director, Nanaimo Art
Gallery, 250-754-1750

 

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