UNews - Art Gallery of Alberta

Lasting Images - Rita McKeough

trevor.kenney — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 21:29:36 +0000

Rita McKeough was born in 1951 in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. She received a BFA from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Calgary and a MFA from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design before settling in Calgary, where she currently teaches at the Alberta College of Art and Design.

Rita McKeough, Two Urban Scroungers, 1984. From the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Art Collection; Gift of the artist, 1994.

McKeough has been a committed multi-disciplinary artist for over 30 years, and has exhibited extensively in group and solo exhibitions across Canada and internationally, including exhibitions at the Walter Phillips Gallery (Banff), Plug-In Gallery (Winnipeg), Nuit Blanche (Toronto) and the National Gallery of Canada. In 2009, McKeough was the recipient of the Governor General's Award in Visual and Media Arts, and the following year was selected for the Alberta Biennial of Contemporary Art at the Art Gallery of Alberta.

McKeough's practice is informed by her interest in social issues, idealism and a belief in art's ability to spur social change. Her performances and installations – often complex, collaborative efforts – touch on issues such as displacement, domestic abuse and ecological damage. Though her subject matter is often politically charged, McKeough opens a dialogue with the viewer through a disarming sense of humour and play.

Rita McKeough, Urban Uprising, 1984. From the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Art Collection; P.U.L.P. print gift, 1984.

McKeough's Urban Scroungers multi-media piece creates an interactive environment for the viewer through sound and sculptural objects, and points to McKeough's concern over urban sprawl and the voracity of corporate expansion.

McKeough's newest installation, The Lion's Share, is on view in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Main Gallery until Jan. 5, 2012.

This story first appeared in the December 2011 issue of the Legend. If you'd like to see the full issue in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Three talks on campus, Monday

trevor.kenney — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 16:13:07 +0000

A trio of talks highlights happenings on the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge campus on Monday, Sept. 27.

Early in the day, Catherine Crowston, the deputy director and chief curator of the Art Gallery of Alberta, will speak as part of the Art Now series. Crowston has curated numerous exhibitions over the course of her career and overseen the production of several national traveling exhibitions. Her Art Now address is at noon in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall (W570).

Crowston will then speak to a different topic and a likely different audience at 6 p.m. in C610 as part of the Architecture & Design Now speaker series.

Both talks are free of charge and open to anyone.

Monday evening, the Women Scholars Speaker Series, along with Egale Canada, the Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs, Gay and Lesbian Alliance, Lethbridge Public Interest Research Group and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Students' Union present Georgina Beyer and her talk, Overcoming Barrier: A Discussion with the World's First Trans MP.

Beyer, a Member of Parliament in New Zealand, was the first openly transgender person in the world to hold a national office. Her lecture will be presented from 7 to 9 p.m. in Ballroom B of the Students' Union Building.

The event is free and everyone is welcome to attend.

Events Calendar - September

trevor.kenney — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 21:43:48 +0000

Pronghorn Athletics

Sept. 25 | Canada West Soccer
Women – Regina vs. Horns, noon
Men – Trinity Western vs. Horns, 2 p.m.
Community Sports Stadium

Sept. 26 | Canada West Soccer
Women – Manitoba vs. Horns, noon
Men – UBC vs. Horns, 2 p.m.
Community Sports Stadium

Oct. 2 | Canada West Soccer
Calgary vs. Horns | Women at noon, men at 2 p.m. | Community Sports Stadium

Lectures

Sept. 15 | Art Now: Sculptor, Faye HeavyShield | Noon, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall (W570)

Sept. 17 | Art Now: Jamelie Hassan
Noon, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall (W570)

Sept. 20 | Art Now: Caitlin Jones (Western Front executive director)
Noon, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall (W570)

Sept. 20 | Architecture & Design Now: John Savil and Dan Westwood
Discussing the Southern Alberta Art Gallery renovation and addition
6 p.m., C610

Sept. 22 | Art Now: Artist, writer and curator, Jeffrey Spalding | Noon, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall (W570)

Sept. 23 | Owen G. Holmes Lectures: Michael Shermer | Why People Believe Weird Things | 7 p.m., PE250

Sept. 24 | Prentice Institute Brown Bag Series: Dr. Raphael Lencucha
International Trade and Chronic Disease: Making the Link | Noon, Prentice Boardroom (L1102)

Sept. 27 | Art Now: Catherine Crowston (Art Gallery of Alberta)
Noon, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall (W570)

Sept. 27 | Architecture & Design Now: Catherine Crowston (Art Gallery of Alberta) | 6 p.m., C610

Sept. 27 | Georgina Beyer, New Zealand Member of Parliament
Overcoming Barrier: A Discussion with the World's First Trans MP | 7 to 9 p.m., Ballroom B, Students' Union

Sept. 29, Oct. 1 | Art Now: Michael Morris & Vincent Trasov | Noon, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall (W570)

Sept. 30 | Discovery Lecture Series: You Can't Spin Mother Nature
James Hoggan discusses the energy sector and the scientific debate on climate change | 7 p.m., PE 250
Free admission

Oct. 4 | Dutch installation artist, Susanne Bruynzeel | Noon, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall (W570)

Oct. 4 | Architecture & Design Now: Robert Steven | 6 p.m., C610

Oct. 6 | Art Now: Animator & Illustrator, James Brathwaite
Noon, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall (W570)

Oct. 6 | CRDC Presents: Doug Phillips | An Introduction to WestGrid
12:30 to 1:30 p.m., CRDC L1126

Oct. 8 | Art Now: Painter, Alexander Irving | Noon, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall (W570)

Oct. 8 | Women Scholars Speaker Series: Helen Kelly | The Clinical Impact of eHealth on the Self-Management of Diabetes | 3 to 5 p.m., AH100

Oct. 13 | Art Now: Writer, Simon Houpt | Noon, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall (W570)

Performances

Sept. 21 | Music at Noon: Dale Ketcheson (guitar) | 12:15 p.m., ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall (W570)

Sept. 28 | Music at Noon: Margaret Mezei (clarinet); Thomas Staples (horn); Glen Montgomery (piano)
12:15 p.m., ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall (W570)

Oct. 5 | Music at Noon: Piotr Grella-Mozejko (ensemble) | 12:15 p.m., ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall (W570)

Oct. 12 | Music at Noon: Glen Montgomery (piano) | 12:15 p.m., ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall (W570)

Sept. 30-Oct. 2 | TheatreXtra presents Muse Control | A struggling writer's life begins to fall apart when he takes in a muse | 8 p.m. nightly, David Spinks Theatre. Matinee, 2 p.m., Oct. 2

Oct. 5 | Ensemble Extravaganza!
U of L Singers, Wind Orchestra, Global Drums, Opera Workshop, Jazz Ensemble, Vox Musica, Collaborative Ensemble, Trumpet Ensemble and Women's Chorus | 8 p.m., ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Theatre

Oct. 8 | Homecoming
Musaeus String Quartet premiere's Passacaglia for Oboe and String Quartet | 8 p.m., Southminster United Church

Miscellaneous

Sept. 12 to Oct. 24 | Shifting Myths
Helen Christou Gallery

Sept. 23 | Women Scholars Speaker Series: Fall Reception | Wine and cheese reception to introduce speaker series lineup | 3 to 5 p.m., AH100

Sept. 23-24 | Auditions for Spring Awakening | Open call auditions for play to be presented Nov. 24-28,
6 to 10 p.m. each day, W425

Sept. 25 | Get to Know You 5K Fun Run/Walk | Meet President Mike Mahon and benefit KidSport Alberta
Registration at www.uleth.ca/sportrec | 10 a.m., 1st Choice Savings Centre

Sept. 29 | Career Fair
Employers visit the U of L campus
All day, 1st Choice Savings Centre track

Campus Kudos

trevor.kenney — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 18:20:11 +0000

Dr. Noella Piquette-Tomei (Education) is one of 400 participants worldwide who will attend the Global Conference on Inclusive Education, Oct. 21-23 in Salamanca, Spain. She, along with her colleagues, will be writing the position paper for the United Nations over the three-day event. Piquette-Tomei is one of only three Canadians attending.

Ron Chambers' (Theatre & Dramatic Arts) play Marg Szkaluba (Pissy's Wife) is presented by New West Theatre until Oct. 10. Several fine arts alumni and staff are involved in the production, including actor Erica Hunt, BFA (Dramatic Arts); director Lindsey Zess-Funk, BFA (Dramatic Arts); set designer Ian McFarlane, BFA (Multidisciplinary); and sound designer Kelly Roberts (Theatre & Dramatic Arts staff).

Gerard Gibbs (Conservatory of Music) General/Executive Director of the Empress Theatre in Fort Macleod, received the Innovation Award at the 2009 Rozsa Arts Management Awards in conjunction with Alberta Arts Days.

Don Gill's (Art) exhibition The New Flâneurs: Contemporary Urban Practice and the Picturesque is at the Art Gallery of Alberta until Dec. 13. This exhibition in the RBC New Works Gallery is inspired by street cultures like parkour, graffiti and skateboarding, and relates them to contemporary art and historical work from the AGA's permanent collection.

Mary-Anne McTrowe (Art) has two exhibitions going on this fall, Crocheting the Database at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, Oct. 9 through Nov. 22, and Decorate and Protect at the Southern Alberta Art Gallery, Nov. 28 through Jan. 17, 2010. While in Victoria for the opening of her exhibition, McTrowe is speaking at Camosun College as part of their visiting artist lecture series.

Dr. Arlan Schultz (Music) did a summer residency at the Center for Research in Computing and the Arts at UC San Diego in La Jolla, California. Schultz was engaged in research at CRCA's large-speaker array audio spatialization lab where he designed and tested computer algorithms that spatialize (in 6 to 9 channels) live or recorded audio and interact with live performers in real-time.

Campus Kudos

trevor.kenney — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 21:08:34 +0000

Dr. Ed Jurkowski (Music) and Dr. Deanna Oye (Music) co-presented a paper in July entitled, Interpreting the Music of György Kurtág, at the annual meeting of the International Musicological Society in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Dr. David Townsend (Education) and Dr. Pamela Adams (Education) released their book, The Essential Equation, A Handbook for School Improvement. Through case studies, research and best-practice information, the book is designed to help educators learn more about school improvement and the challenges facing educators today.

David Barrus has been accepted as the first MFA Dramatic Arts student and is specializing in scenic design for theatre, which also makes him the first recipient of the John Farwell Memorial Award.

Don Gill (Art) and dancer Sarah Williams (formerly of La La La Human Steps) are featured in a collaborative video-installation exhibition, The New Flâneurs: Contemporary Urban Practice and the Picturesque, running Sept. 5 through Dec. 13 in the RBC New Works Gallery in the Art Gallery of Alberta in Edmonton.

Soprano Audrina Poepping-Steciw (BMus '09) placed first in the Provincial National Voice Class in the Kiwanis Music Festival in Edmonton this spring and represented Alberta in the National Class at the competition in Saskatoon in August.

Dr. Arlan Schultz (Music) returned from a summer residency at the Center for Research in Computing and the Arts at UC San Diego in La Jolla, California. Schultz was engaged in research at CRCA's large-speaker array audio spatialization lab.

James Graham's (New Media) installation, Unforgivable, used many commonly available commercial products – and specifically those of the French cosmetic giant L'Oreal – to draw connections back to their French fascist and anti-Semitic origins. Displayed in the SAAG storefront gallery during August, the exhibition examined the troubled history of Vichy, France.

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge will receive a 2009 Allied Arts Council Award for Excellence (AACE) at the Mayor's Luncheon for Business and the Arts on Sept. 10.

Michael Campbell's (Art) exhibition, Field Recordings of Icebergs Melting, toured over the summer to the Tom Thomson Art Gallery in Owen Sound, Ont. and then to the Esplanade Gallery in Medicine Hat. A version of this exhibition appeared at the Nanaimo Art Gallery in June.

Dana Inkster (New Media) has received generous support from the Alberta Foundation for the Arts for her new production, Ladies of the Saturday Night, a short documentary about lives lived in the sex trade in Alberta boomtowns. The production is slated for completion by fall 2010.

The Contemporary Works Jazz Orchestra, directed by Dr. David Renter (Music) and including ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and community musicians performed at the first incarnation of the Medicine Hat Jazz Festival in Lethbridge in June. ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ musicians included student Brad Brouwer, Ryan Heseltine (BMus/Ed '04), Don Robb (former U of L Jazz Ensemble conductor), Nick Sullivan (Music) and Ed Wasiak (Music Education)

Bobbi-Lee Copeland (BA '05), who has been working as an adult literacy instructor for the Lillooet Area Library Association, has been accepted to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Saskatchewan Indigenous Education Master's Program.

Dr. David Renter (Music) has been invited to participate in the 2009 Chiayi City International Band Festival in Chiayi City, Taiwan in December 2009. Renter will perform with an Afro-Cuban Jazz group from Indianapolis, Indiana.

Andrew Staniland (BMus '00, Great Distinction) who completed his PhD in composition at ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Toronto in 2008, went on to win the grand prize in CBC's National Evolution Composers Competition in March 2009. Staniland has accepted a tenure-track appointment in composition at Memorial ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Newfoundland, starting in January 2010.

Art Gallery to tour major exhibition in Germany

trevor.kenney — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 19:55:20 +0000

The U of L Art Gallery has sent Drawn from the Past: the portraits and practice of Nicholas de Grandmaison to the Niedersächsisches Landesmuseum in Hannover, Germany for an exhibition from April 24 to Aug. 2, 2009.

"We are delighted to send an exhibition to such a significant museum," says Dr. Josephine Mills, director/curator of the U of L Art Gallery, who will attend the opening on April 24. "The project is particularly exciting because this is the first time the U of L Art Gallery has toured an exhibition in Europe.

"The Niedersächsisches Landesmuseum has an extensive holding of art and cultural objects and by being on display in this excellent institution, work from the U of L Collection will reach a broad audience, including Hannover residents as well as tourists."

The de Grandmaison exhibition is part of a companion art exhibition associated with a large exhibition of Canadian aboriginal objects and artwork from the Canadian Museum of Civilization. Calgary's Glenbow Museum and Banff's Whyte Museum are also lending artworks for the companion exhibition. The goal of the art exhibitions is to expand on European interpretation of First Nations culture and the influence of First Nations people on European-trained artists working in Canada.

"This exhibition was selected from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's extensive holding of Nicholas de Grandmaison pastels and paintings as well as our holding of archival material," says Mills.

Drawn from the Past focuses on the artist's First Nations portraits and on the context of his life and career and includes work produced from 1930 through 1960. The archival material includes letters, personal photographs and audio recordings of songs and interviews recorded by de Grandmaison while meeting with his First Nations subjects. Unfinished studies and sketchbooks included with the exhibition provide audiences with a view into the artist's process.

Gordon Snyder, guest curator of the exhibition, selected a strong range of de Grandmaison's portraits of Aboriginal people.

"The artist's passion for depicting leaders and ordinary members of many different First Nations communities is clearly apparent in these powerful works," he says.

Born in 1892 into an aristocratic family in Russia, Nicholas de Grandmaison studied art, music, history, languages, cartography and topography. He immigrated to Canada from England in 1923 where he had gone after spending most of the First World War in a prisoner of war camp in Germany. Settling in Winnipeg, he saw Plains Indians for the first time and determined to paint their portraits.

"He realized their traditional way of life would soon diminish and he began painting the Plains Indians in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta – eventually capturing subjects from as far north as the Queen Charlotte Islands and south to the deserts of the Southwestern United States," says Snyder.

In addition to curating, Snyder also produced a book that explored the holdings at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ in relation to other work in public and private collections by this artist. The exhibition appeared at the U of L Art Gallery in fall 2007 and at the Art Gallery of Alberta in Edmonton in 2008.

UNews - Art Gallery of Alberta

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Art Gallery to tour major exhibition in Germany

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