OTTAWA,
ON, May 23, 2024 /CNW/ - Immerse yourself in
the world of women war artists and explore how their voices have
evolved over time through the art they created. Outside the
Lines – Women Artists and War delves into the different
perspectives on war and Canada's
military history, shaped by the artists' unique experiences and
identities.
Outside the Lines, the newest exhibition at the Canadian
War Museum, offers a fascinating and unique look at war through the
eyes of 52 women artists and their responses to Canada's armed conflict. The exhibition
showcases nearly two centuries of art in over 70 works drawn
primarily from the Beaverbrook Collection of War Art, one of the
finest collections of military art in the world. Featuring a
variety of media — from painting, drawing, sculpture and textiles
to photography and film — many of the works are by
luminaries such as Molly Lamb Bobak,
Paraskeva Clark, Daphne Odjig, Rosalie
Favell and Gertrude
Kearns.
"Outside the Lines is a fresh and engaging look at this
country's military history through the eyes of women," said
James Whitham, Director General of
the Canadian War Museum. "Women have traditionally been overlooked
in accounts of wars. With this important exhibition, we are proud
to be shining a much-deserved spotlight on women artists and their
perspectives."
In addition to presenting scenes of military life, the
exhibition examines more difficult and at times unexpected subject
matter. The destruction of the Beothuk community is documented in
drawings by Beothuk artist Shanawdithit. The internment of Japanese
Canadians is challenged in paintings by Lillian Yano Blakey. Pet gerbils play the role
of American draft resisters recounting their escape to Canada in an experimental film by Joyce Wieland. An all-Black battalion is
commemorated in a quilt by Ozell and George
Borden. And there are knitted landmines by Barb Hunt.
The exhibition is divided into four chronological and thematic
zones, with an introduction and a conclusion, presenting artworks
from the 19th century to the present day. The final zone features
artwork created specifically for the exhibition. Produced by the
War Museum's first-ever artist-in-residence, Elise Lavallee Findlay, this new work is a link
that ties the past, present and future of war art together, and is
also a reflection upon the war art and the artists in the
exhibition.
Unique and stimulating activities will be offered to the public
throughout the exhibition. In fact, the first activity, an engaging
evening of conversation on art and conflict with artists who
continue to break boundaries in their work, will take place on
Friday, May 24, starting at
6 p.m. To learn more about this
activity or to consult the complete list of programming, please
visit warmuseum.ca.
Outside the Lines will be presented at the Canadian
War Museum from May 24, 2024 to
January 5, 2025, in the
Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae
Gallery.
The Canadian War Museum is Canada's national museum of military history.
Its mission is to promote public understanding of Canada's military history in its personal,
national, and international dimensions. Work of the Canadian War
Museum is made possible in part through the financial support of
the Government of Canada.
For all media requests related to Outside the Lines,
please contact Stéphanie Verner.
For more information, visit warmuseum.ca. Follow us on
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SOURCE Canadian War Museum