Shine a Light: Canadian Biennial 2014 - Discover innovative and diverse artworks by artists from different generations and regions across the country

OTTAWA, Oct. 17, 2014 /CNW/ - Until 8 March 2015, the National Gallery of Canada (NGC) presents Shine a Light: Canadian Biennial 2014. The exhibition highlights a selection of recent acquisitions to the NGC's Canadian Contemporary, Indigenous and Photography holdings. It showcases some of the best and most innovative works being made today in a variety – and often combination of – media, from video and film to drawing and painting, photography to sculpture and installation. Shine a Light: Canadian Biennial 2014 is supported by RBC Foundation, a long-standing partner of the Canadian Biennial.

Shine a Light: Canadian Biennial 2014 presents over 80 works by 26 artists from across the country: David Armstrong Six, Shuvinai Ashoona, Nicolas Baier, Edward Burtynsky, Tammi Campbell, Mario Doucette, David Hartt, Isabelle Hayeur, Philippa Jones, Stéphane La Rue, Rita Letendre, An Te Liu, David McMillan, Damian Moppett, Luke Parnell, Vanessa Paschakarnis, Ed Pien, Tim Pitsiulak, Kelly Richardson, Jeremy Shaw, Althea Thauberger, Jutai Toonoo, Howie Tsui and Lawrence Paul Yuxweluptun. Shary Boyle's The Cave Painter, presented at the last Venice Biennale, and Geoffrey Farmer's monumental installation Leaves of Grass, shown at dOCUMENTA (13), are also featured. 

The exhibition reveals the unique ways contemporary Canadian artists are responding to the larger social and political state of the world through their art and how they are choosing interdisciplinary modes of self-expression that transcend traditional categories, materials and genres.

The exhibition's curators – Josée Drouin-Brisebois, Greg Hill, Andrea Kunard, Jonathan Shaughnessy and Rhiannon Vogl – explain: "Artists can be seen as modern-day philosophers and visionaries who shine light on events, places and people that have been obscured, forgotten or marginalized by history and societies … Often looking to past events, literature, films, places, cultural movements and traditions, all of the artists in Shine a Light are very much ingrained in issues of the present day. Their works encourage us to reconsider time and the writing of history, our relationship to the natural world, the powerful role of images in how information is communicated, and how we perceive and interpret accepted facts."

"This is an exciting time for Canadian art. Not only is the diversity of practices and subject matter extreme, but artistic excellence is not in short supply either on our shores. Congratulations are due to our curators for having identified and secured the exceptional works in this exhibition, all of which are now a permanent part of the national collection'', said NGC Director and CEO, Marc Mayer.

"We are delighted to continue our support of the National Gallery of Canada's Biennial exhibition, especially as it features two well-known artists that RBC was privileged to support early in their careers – Geoffrey Farmer and Shary Boyle," stated Shari Austin, Vice-President, Corporate Citizenship, RBC and Executive Director, RBC Foundation. "This exhibit expertly takes the pulse of contemporary art in Canada as it becomes part of our national art history, and the works in it will no doubt inspire and challenge visitors over the coming months."

Catalogue
Shine a Light: Canadian Biennial 2014 is accompanied by a bilingual catalogue. Published by the NGC, the 264-page volume features a foreword by the Gallery's Director, an introduction by the exhibition's curators, as well as texts on each of the artists in the show. The catalogue is on sale at the NGC Bookstore for $40 as well as at ShopNGC.ca, the Gallery's online boutique. 

Meet the artist: Geoffrey Farmer
On Friday, 17 October at noon, artist Geoffrey Farmer will discuss his monumental installation Leaves of Grass in the exhibition. Length: 45 minutes, followed by a bilingual question period. In the Contemporary art galleries. Free with Gallery admission.

Meet the artists
In the contemporary art galleries. Free with Gallery admission
On Saturday, 18 October at 1 pm, artists David Hartt, Philippa Jones, Luke Parnell, and Jeremy Shaw will talk about their respective works in the exhibition.

On Saturday, 8 November at 1 pm, artists Mario Doucette, David McMillan, and Vanessa Paschakarnis will talk about their works.

Concert
On Sunday, 19 October at 3 pm, Juno award-winning composer/percussionist/performance artist Jesse Steward will perform a concert of original music in conjunction with the exhibition. Combining percussion with a variety of cutting-edge electronic musical instruments, the performance will weave a unique tapestry of sound as a counterpoint to the Gallery's exhibition.

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. This month, read the article Shining the Light on Four Biennial Artists.

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Admission
Tickets: $12 (adults); $10 (seniors and full-time students); $6 (youth: 12-19); $24 (families: two adults and three youth). Admission is free for children under the age of 12 and for Members. Includes admission to the NGC Collection.

Hours
The NGC is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Thursdays until 8 p.m. Closed Mondays, including Remembrance Day, November 11. Open between December 26 and 31. Closed on December 25 and January 1. For more information call 613-990-1985 or 1-800-319-ARTS.

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. 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 RBC's Commitment to Community and Sustainability
Royal Bank of Canada (RY on TSX and NYSE) is Canada's largest bank and one of the largest banks in the world, based on market capitalization. We employ approximately 79,000 full- and part-time employees who serve more than 16 million personal, business, public sector and institutional clients through offices in Canada, the U.S. and 40 other countries. For more information, please visit rbc.com. RBC is recognized among the world's financial, social and environmental leaders and is listed on the 2014 Dow Jones Sustainability World Index, the DJSI North American Index, the Jantzi Social Index and the FTSE4Good Index. RBC is one of Canada's Greenest Employers, and one of Canada's 50 Most Socially Responsible Corporations. RBC supports a broad range of community initiatives through donations, sponsorships and employee volunteer activities. In 2013, we contributed more than $104 million to causes worldwide, including donations and community investments of more than $69 million and $35 million in sponsorships. Learn more at www.rbc.com/community-sustainability.

SOURCE: National Gallery of Canada

For media only: For more information, please contact: Josée-Britanie Mallet, Senior Media and Public Relations Officer, National Gallery of Canada, 613.990.6835 / [email protected], Images are available in the Gallery's Media Centre, through the section "For the media" at gallery.ca