Chris Cran, Sincerely Yours - An exhibition devoted to one of Canada's most notable contemporary artists

OTTAWA, May 18, 2016 /CNW/ - The National Gallery of Canada (NGC) presents, from May 20 to September 5, 2016, Chris Cran, Sincerely Yours, the most comprehensive exhibition ever produced on Alberta's Chris Cran. The exhibition features over 100 paintings and drawings from the national collection and other institutions, and surveys Cran's artistic production over the last 40 years.

Chris Cran is renowned for his humorous and inventive takes on traditional genres such as still life, portraiture, landscape and abstraction. Challenging perception and drawing from major movements such as Pop art, Op art, Modernist Abstraction and Photorealism, Cran playfully combines imagery borrowed from art history and popular culture.

"Chris Cran has made an enormous contribution to the contemporary art scene, particularly in Alberta, both as an influential painter and as a generous mentor to countless young artists" said NGC Director and CEO Marc Mayer. "Over four decades of prolific practice, Chris has consistently surprised and challenged us with works that are both cerebral and humorous. The National Gallery is proud of its collaboration with partner institutions in Alberta to help introduce its visitors to this remarkable artist."

Chris Cran, Sincerely Yours is organized by the National Gallery of Canada and the Art Gallery of Alberta (AGA) as part of the NGC@AGA exhibition series with the generous collaboration of the Southern Alberta Art Gallery (SAAG). It is co-curated by Catherine Crowston, the AGA's Executive Director and Chief Curator, and Josée Drouin-Brisebois, the NGC's Senior Curator of Contemporary Art. Chris Cran, Sincerely Yours was initially showcased at the AGA in the fall of 2015. The NGC's presentation includes additional works from the SAAG's exhibition Inherent Virtue.

The National Gallery of Canada and the National Gallery of Canada Foundation thank Enbridge, the exhibition's sponsor and gratefully acknowledge Viviane and Jay Mehr, as well as ‎Michael and Renae Tims for their generous donations.

About Chris Cran
Chris Cran is a senior Canadian artist who currently lives and works in Calgary, Alberta. He studied at the Kootenay School of Art in Nelson, B.C., and graduated from the Alberta College of Art + Design in 1979. An award-winning and celebrated artist, Cran has influenced and mentored a generation of artists studying at the Alberta College of Art + Design, where he still teaches. Cran's work can be found in major public and private collections in Canada and internationally.

Exhibition Catalogue
Chris Cran, Sincerely Yours by Josée Drouin-Brisebois, Bruce McCulloch, Ryan Doherty, Nancy Tousley, William Wood,  200 pages. $40.00. Available at the NGC Bookstore or online at ShopNGC.ca

Meet the Artist
On Saturday May 21, 2016, from 12:00 p.m. to 1 p.m., Chris Cran discusses his artwork with visitors in the exhibition space. In English, to be followed by a bilingual question period.

NGC Magazine
NGCmagazine.ca, the National Gallery of Canada's online magazine, is a frequently updated source of information on the Canadian art world and events at the National Gallery of Canada. Correspondents from across the country provide engaging and exclusive content on historical and contemporary art in Canada. This online magazine also includes interviews with artists. Read the article "Chris Cran's Humour, Rigour and Reverie" online now.

Hours
From May 21 to September 11, the Gallery is open every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., except Thursdays, when it is open until 8 p.m. Beginning September 12, the Gallery closes at 5 p.m. and, after October 1, the Gallery is closed on Mondays. Year-round, the Gallery is open on Thursdays until 8 p.m.

Admission
Admission to Chris Cran, Sincerely Yours is included with admission to the Gallery's Collection. Adults: $12; Seniors and full-time students: $10; youth aged 12-19: $6; families (two adults and three youth): $24. Admission is free for children under the age of 12 and for Members. Free admission Thursdays between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. For more information: 613.998.8888 or 1.888.541.8888.

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About the NGC@ partnerships
The NGC@ program is a special partnership between the National Gallery of Canada and other Canadian galleries. This ongoing initiative gives Canadians an opportunity to enjoy and appreciate works from the national collection in their own region. The current NGC@ partners are the Art Gallery of Alberta, in Edmonton and the Winnipeg Art Gallery.

About the National Gallery of Canada
The National Gallery of Canada is home to the most important collections of historical and contemporary Canadian art. The Gallery also maintains Canada's premier collection of European Art from the 14th to the 21st century, as well as important works of American, Asian and Indigenous Art and renowned international collections of prints, drawings and photographs. In 2015, the National Gallery of Canada established the Canadian Photography Institute, a global multidisciplinary research centre dedicated to the history, evolution and future of photography. Created in 1880, the National Gallery of Canada has played a key role in Canadian culture for well over a century. Among its principal missions is to increase access to excellent works of art for all Canadians. For more information, visit gallery.ca.

About the National Gallery of Canada Foundation
The National Gallery of Canada Foundation is dedicated to supporting the National Gallery of Canada in fulfilling its mandate. By fostering strong philanthropic partnerships, the Foundation provides the Gallery with the additional financial support required to lead Canada's visual arts community locally, nationally and internationally. The blend of public support and private philanthropy empowers the Gallery to preserve and interpret Canada's visual arts heritage. The Foundation welcomes present and deferred gifts for special projects and endowments. To learn more about the National Gallery of Canada Foundation, visit ngcfoundation.ca.

SOURCE National Gallery of Canada

For media only: For more information about the exhibition, please contact: Josée-Britanie Mallet, Senior Media and Public Relations Officer, National Gallery of Canada, 613.990.6835, [email protected]