Movement: Expressive Bodies in Art
An exhibition that celebrates the expressive energy of the human body
On view until February 26, 2023
Until February 26, 2023, the National Gallery of Canada (NGC) with the support of the Scotiabank Photography Program at the NGC, presents the exhibition Movement: Expressive Bodies in Art. Bringing together a selection of 75 works by 30 artists from the 17th century to today, Movement focuses attention on the comprehensive collections of Indigenous, contemporary, European art and photography housed at the Gallery. The exhibition celebrates the expressive energy of the body as it has been employed, choreographed and performed by artists to explore social issues or reveal the many facets of human contact and relationships.
“This selection of works reveals the power of art to connect, engage and inspire. It features renowned artists, and favourites that have long been part of the Gallery’s collection,” said Angela Cassie, Interim Director and CEO of the National Gallery of Canada. “We are delighted to bring together the works of artists from diverse backgrounds to encourage new ways of seeing ourselves and others.”
“The exhibition combines works that are not only exciting to look at, but represent the power of movement in art,” said Andrea Kunard, Senior Curator, Photography, NGC. ”Visitors will discover works that demonstrate art’s endurance and strength and its capacity to inform contemporary life in new and dynamic ways.”
The works are divided into four themes: Energy and Art, Concept and Movement, Merging and Parting, and Presence and Absence. Photographs, videos, prints, drawings and paintings express movement, graceful lines, strokes of colour, and motion to explore human interactions and relationships. In front of the camera, gestural, performing bodies question societal norms of gender, race and ethnicity; or embody a call to action, where figures intertwine, reach out and support one another.
Featured artists include Jacques Callot (Nancy, France, 1592–1635), Leidy Churchman (Villanova, Pennsylvania, 1979), Brendan Fernandes (Nairobi, Kenya, 1979), Sarah Anne Johnson (Winnipeg, Manitoba, 1976), Brian Jungen (Dane-Zaa Fort St. John, British Columbia, 1970), An Te Liu (Taiwan, 1967), Tanya Lukin Linklater (Alutiiq descent, Alaska, 1976), Lisette Model (Vienna, Austria, 1901—New York, New York, 1983), Kent Monkman (Cree St. Mary’s, Ontario, 1965), Barbara Morgan (Buffalo, Kansas, 1900—North Tarrytown, New York, 1992), Daphne Odjig (Anishinaabe [Odawa/Potawatomi] Wikwemikong Unceded Reserve, Manitoulin Island, Ontario, 1919—Kelowna, British Columbia, 2016), Silke Otto-Knapp (Osnabrück, Germany, 1970), Adam Pendleton (Richmond, Virginia, 1984), and Katherine Takpannie (Urban Inuk Montréal, Québec, 1989).
About the National Gallery of Canada
Ankosé — Everything is Connected — Tout est relié
The National Gallery of Canada is dedicated to amplifying voices through art and extending the reach and breadth of its collection, exhibitions program, and public activities to represent all Canadians, while centring Indigenous ways of knowing and being. Ankosé—an Anishinaabemowin word that means Everything is Connected—reflects the Gallery’s mission to create dynamic experiences that open hearts and minds, and allow for new ways of seeing ourselves, one another, and our diverse histories, through the visual arts. The NGC is home to a rich contemporary Indigenous international art collection, as well as important collections of historical and contemporary Canadian and European Art from the 14th to 21st centuries. Founded in 1880, the National Gallery of Canada has played a key role in Canadian culture for more than a century. To find out more about the Gallery’s programming and activities visit gallery.ca and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram. #Ankose #EverythingIsConnected #ToutEstRelié.
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For media only: For more information, images, or to set up an interview, please contact:
Josée-Britanie Mallet
Senior Officer, Media and Public Relations
National Gallery of Canada
[email protected]
Denise Siele
Senior Manager Communications
National Gallery of Canada
[email protected]