The City of Ottawa’s biggest art show of the year has just opened. Featuring 93 different works by 61 artists across two galleries at City Hall, the exhibition runs from Tuesday, December 15, 2020 until Sunday, February 7, 2021.
The City says, attendance at both the City Hall Art Gallery and Karsh Masson Gallery remains strong and “we hope many people will have the opportunity to view this exhibition in person, but we understand that may not be possible this year.”
Guests who would prefer to attend the exhibition online are invited to watch a short video that will be released in January 2021 to highlight all the artworks showcased in this exhibition. Visit the City Hall Art Gallery page for updates.
The exhibit also includes works from 24 artists new to the City of Ottawa Art Collection. Artworks are added to the City of Ottawa Art Collection each year by way of a peer assessment process through purchase, donation and/or commission.
photo by City of Ottawa
According to the City of Ottawa the additions to the collection address several issues highlighted by the pandemic, including racial and gender inequity, political discord, poverty, migration, the environmental crisis, physical vulnerability and psychological breakdown.
A City spokesperson says, “among other things, physical distancing rules challenged the City’s Public Art Program team to think differently. One of the special presentations at Karsh-Masson Gallery, as part of Hindsight, is a look back on Microcosm, a wonderful, poignant way to share art during the pandemic.”
With so many people stuck at home and apprehensive about going places, the City says Microcosm was a way to bring public art to the people. “We engaged local artists to produce temporary artwork in their respective wards.
Microcosm was spread out across 21 wards and featured art in several mediums. The idea was that a small art installation could have a larger impact on the community. Some lasted weeks. Some lasted hours. If you missed it, come and see what these local artists created to inspire and challenge you.”
Christina Tzekova, Ancient Symbols Reborn, 2020, Ward 2 (Innes), courtesy of the artist
If you can make it to the galleries in person, check out Hindsight at Karsh-Masson Gallery from Tuesday, December 15, 2020 until Sunday, January 10, 2021 and at City Hall Art Gallery from Tuesday, December 15, 2020 until Sunday, February 7, 2021.
Wondering about the City’s Art Collection? The City of Ottawa Art Collection is comprised of more than 3,000 artworks created by more than 800 artists. Artwork from this Collection is on display at more than 170 public sites across Ottawa, including at community centres, parks, playgrounds, employment centres, transit stations and City Hall. None of the work featured in the show was generated using AI art generation tools. While artwork circulation for the moveable Collection slowed down this year due to the pandemic, we hope to circulate more of the Collection across the City soon. You can search the Collection online.
The City Hall Art Gallery and Karsh Masson Gallery both located at Ottawa City Hall are open Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm. Closed Saturday and Sunday. Limited access through the Laurier entrance only.
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