Newsletter | Spring/Summer 2018

Spring/ Summer 2018 Modern + Beyond A publication of The Robert McLaughlin Gallery Modern + Beyond |Spring/Summer 2018 | Page 1

season overview exhibitions Jenn E. Norton: Slipstream | Apr 14-Sept 16 #FeelsLikeHome | Apr 28-Aug 26 Glimmers of the Radiant Real | May 12-Sept 9 Ryan Van der Hout: Dark Waters | July 7-Sept 23 Whose Home and Native Land | June 30, 2018-June 23, 2019

artist talks Glimmers of the Radiant Real - catalogue launch | June 9, 1-3pm Randomly Connected Artist group | Aug 19, 1-3pm

classes for kids

Art Tots: Petite Painters | Mondays, Mar 19-May 14 Art Away from Home-School | Mondays, Mar 19-May 14 P.A. Day Camps | Friday, Apr 27 Summer Art Camp | 9 weeks

classes for adults Circle Back to Nature | Sunday, May 27, 12:30-3pm Art of Gold! | Sunday, June 10, 12-3pm

The RMG is proud to acknowledge the lands and people of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation. We are situated on the Traditional Territory of the Mississaugas, a branch of the greater Anishinaabeg Nation which includes Ojibway, Odawa and Pottawatomi.

Cover: Jenn E. Norton, Slipstream (detail), 2018 Page 2 | Modern + Beyond | Srping/Summer 2018

Mary Pratt, Christmas Turkey (detail), 1981

Message from Donna There’s a whole lot in store for you at the RMG this spring and summer.

Experience the ephemeral realm of Jenn E Norton’s ground-breaking exhibition Slipstream - a must see!

Late in June, take in Whose Home and Native Land?

A first for the RMG, this collaborative permanent collection exhibition amplifies the voices of three Indigenous community members, artist Reagan Kennedy, Trent University professor Dawn Lavell-Harvard and O’Neill Collegiate student Alex Ranger.

And finally, the RMG’s much-loved Senior Curator, Linda Jansma begins her retirement journey in late May. Linda has dedicated her career to the advancement of The Robert McLaughlin Gallery and the greater arts ecology. Over the course of her 28 years with the RMG she has been deeply devoted to the institutional and artistic growth of the RMG, the care and advancement of our permanent collection and public engagement in the arts.

Without question, her role has been profound. Linda is an extraordinary professional who leaves an enduring legacy. Her footprints will remain.

Please join us as we wish her boundless happiness.

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When the rubber wrist bands were a rage a few years back, I randomly received one in the mail. It was black and had the term “artist enabler” written on it. “That’s it,” I thought—“that’s what a curator is—an artist enabler!”

I began my RMG journey in 1989 and, by far, the best, most satisfying, gratifying part of it has been working with artists from across Canada. They have been generous, open, and honest as we travelled together from initial meetings and confirmation letters to studio visits, installations and openings. I will always be grateful that artists permit us to share their vision with our visitors, to get a glimpse into the artistic process.

We have a collection of over 4600 works housed in our under-ground vault. Many of them have been used in our own exhibitions, and colleagues have used them in exhibitions throughout Canada and abroad. These works represent the history of our institution; they set us apart.

Helping shape the collection is another thing that I feel particular gratitude for.

My years at the RMG have also been amazing because of my colleagues: I have been fortunate to have worked with passionate professionals who care about this place as much as I do.

I have spent more than half my life at the RMG—the place is in my blood. Can’t wait to see the next chapter.

Linda Jansma Senior Curator

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Jenn E Norton, Slipstream (detail), 2018

Jenn E Norton: Slipstream April 14 - September 16 Opening reception: Friday, May 4, 7-10pm

In an otherwise empty gallery space, six reflective panels are positioned in a ring, facing inward, catching one another in their reflection, creating channels of infinite regress. A dancing figure in the form of a spiraling flurry of silk moves from one panel to another, crossing the space that spans between each. As the figure traverses the circumference of the ring it appears that viewers and the dancer share the same physical space.

Inspired by a residency in Paris, Durham Region artist Jenn E Norton looks to choreographer, dancer, and costume designer, Loïe Fuller’s Serpentine Dance and her voluminous robes as a performative sculptural object.

Curated by Linda Jansma and Crystal Mowry Page 6 | Modern + Beyond | Srping/Summer 2018

feels like home

Photographer: Rick Johansen

#FeelsLikeHome April 28 - August 26

While typically, community driven exhibitions ask the community to respond to its collections, this time, the RMG will respond to the community. The RMG’s Curator of Collections will select photographs from the Thomas Bouckley Collection that highlight reoccurring themes around the feeling of home.

Members of the community are invited to participate in this exhibition by hashtagging photos that reflect what home means to then with #feelslikehome. Submitted images will be printed and included in a crowd-sourced exhibition project that illustrates how home and a sense of community can be one and the same.

We intend to fill the exhibition space from floor to ceiling with printed 4” x 6” pictures.

Curated by Sonya Jones in collaboration with the community.

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Ryan Van Der Hout, Deep Waters, 2017

Ryan Van Der Hout: Dark Waters RMG Exposed 2017 Winner

July 7 - September 23

Water is often thought of as an accessible commodity in most Western cities. With global climate change, this expectation is becoming less certain. Draughts, contamination, and flooding in places like Cape Town, Los Angeles, Flint, and Manitoba have made obvious that a limitless supply of water does not exist.

Dark Waters is a series of images of water, clouds and deserts looking at our culpability in commodifying and altering nature. Using a laser cutter, Van Der Hout burns holes into the photograph, allowing certain portions of the image to remain and others to fall away. He is interested in how far he can destroy the physical structure of the photograph before it falls apart.

Curated by Linda Jansma

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Xiaojing Yan, Cloud Cell (detail), Freshwater pearls, monofilament thread, aluminum, 2014.

Courtesy of the artist.

Glimmers of the Radiant Real May 12 - September 9

What happens when surfaces glitter, gleam, sparkle, and shine? In Glimmers of the Radiant Real, radiance, that quality of projected light we associate so often with the marvelous and the modern, is subverted by the relationship between the quality of a surface and what it covers, reflects, or contains.

Surface is the point of contact for the body, it’s skin and texture and touch. The glistening, shining surfaces of works by Kathie Bethune-Leaman, the Broadbent Sisters, Daniel Griffin Hunt, Sanaz Mazinani, Sandy Plotnikoff, Mary Pratt, Cole Swanson, Catherine Telford-Keogh, and Xiaojing Yan manipulate the viewer’s perception of dimension through reflections and refractions, thereby un-forming the object and making the familiar strange.

Curated by Ruth Jones and Sam Mogelonsky

Presenting Sponsor

Media Sponsor

Programming Sponsor

Exhibition Sponsor

Modern + Beyond |Spring/Summer 2018 | Page 9

Joanne Tod (Canadian, b.1953); Amway Consciousness; 1984; oil on canvas;Purchase, 1985

Whose Home and Native Land?

Produced in partnership with Reagan Kennedy, Dawn Lavell-Harvard, and Alex Ranger June 30, 2018 - June 23, 2019

This installation of the RMG’s permanent collection asks a simple question: Whose Home and Native Land? This takes into account not only the physical landscape, but those who have occupied it for thousands of years and those settlers whose traces can be measured in hundreds of years.

This has been a collaborative venture: along with RMG staff, we have met with three Indigenous community members whose responses to the collection have framed the exhibition’s content and its direction. The RMG’s collection is very Eurocentric, but also includes amazing examples of work by First Nations and Inuit artists and we continue to expand its base of work by racially diverse artists.

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Gallery A and Art Lab Gallery A and Art Lab are designed to serve the arts community as a professional development opportunity for artists and curators.

Programs provide a platform to individuals and communities wishing to present and discuss

artwork, share ideas, collaborate, find encouragement and boost inspiration. They are artistdriven, self-guided and flexible.

Supported by:

Emerging Visions Gallery A/Art Lab: April 19-May 6 Reception: May 4, 7-10pm Primavera in Sospeso Jennie Suddick and Anna Rose Gallery A/Art Lab: May 9-June 9 Reception: June 1, 7-10pm Journeys Seniors Art Competition and Exhibition Gallery A: June 14-July 2 Reception: June 15, 3-4:30pm Ruth Greenlaw

MIRROR/MIRROR John Di Leonardo Gallery A/Art Lab: June 14–July 29 Reception: July 12, 6-8pm Hundertwasser Meets Oshawa Jeff Mann Gallery A/Art Lab: September 7-21 Reception: September 7, 7-10pm

Jennie Suddick & Anna Rose

John Di Leonardo Modern + Beyond |Spring/Summer 2018 | Page 11

public programming for kids Art Tots: Petite Painters (ages 2-4)

Mondays, March 19-May 14, 10:15-11am $6 per morning | Members Free. Registration required per week

Paint with brushes, feathers, or fingers; use luscious textures for printmaking – anything goes! Kids & parents socialize and create together. *Must be accompanied by an adult.

Art Away from Home-School (ages 5-10)

Mondays, March 19-May 14, 10:15-11:15am or 11:45-12:45pm $60 Members | $70 Non-Members

Join us for this re-invented course, which is truly inspired by our exhibitions and some very BIG ideas in the world around us. We use a multi-dimensional approach that allows for individuality and imaginative problem solving with quality fine art materials.

P.A. Day Camp (ages 5 to 10)

Friday, April 27 9am-4pm $55 Members | $65 Non-Members

School’s out, the Gallery is in! During this full day, we play, we make, and we use drama to explore and enjoy our gallery. It is social, busy and you will make beautiful art to boot!

for adults NEW! Circle Back to Nature (ages 16+) Sunday May 27, 12:30 -3pm $35 Members | $45 Non-Members

The perfect Mother’s Day gift; connect with nature and re-discover the power of creativity with artist Elsii Faria. You will go on a calming journey and take home a unique and meaningful art piece.

NEW! Art of Gold! (ages 16+)

Sunday, June 10, 12-3pm $45 Members | $55 Non-Members

Indulge yourself! This workshop is taught by one of our exhibiting artists. Cole Swanson introduces you to the historical process of gilding using gold leaf. With both traditional materials & fresh techniques, you will make swanky metal gold leaf designs based on insect patterns and motifs. All materials included, no drawing skills required, we promise!

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RMG Summer Art Camp Full Day Camp (9am - 4pm) $180 Members | $195 Non-Members Do you want your kids to dive into creativity this summer? We have you covered!

Our fun-filled, fine art camps are packed with inspired projects, interactive gallery activities, active outdoor play, and our RMG kids make memorable friendships!

State of the ART Camp: Bright & Limitless

This camp has fun, imagination, and art-making techniques served to your kids on a silver platter! Together, we will explore the exhibition Glimmers of the Radiant Real and create stunning, shining artworks that go deep beyond the surface.

State of the ART Camp: Fantastic & Curious

Come and discover the freedom of artistic possibilities inspired by an exhibition that is truly wondrous in our visual world! Campers will have a blast creating interactive, fantastical artwork using fine art materials and no small amount of imagination!

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Learn more and register online at rmg.on.ca

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LIVE MUSIC DANCE PERFORMANCES FILM SCREENINGS LOCAL FOOD VENDORS EXHIBITION TOURS ARTIST TALKS & MORE

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Michael St. George performs at RMG Fridays: Speak Your Truth which was organized in partnership with the Durham Black Educators’ Network. Image courtesy of Empty Cup Media.

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“The arts encourage a culture of creativity and innovation, and helps foster diversity and inclusion in our communities. We are happy to support the RMG in their work to provide free and accessible arts programming for the local community in Durham and in particular their work with local youth - when we invest in youth, great things happen!�

Kegan Winters, Vice-President RBC Commercial Financial Services Durham

Your Support Matters!

Become a Member

Members of the RMG receive discounts on all classes, selected items at the RMG Shop as well as invitations to members only events.

Make a Donation

Your generosity supports arts education and community events.

Donations of over $20 will receive

a charitable tax receipt. Your donation will help ensure the sustainability of the RMG for generations to come.

Support us in person, online or contact Elsy Gould, Membership Co-ordinator at 905.576.3000 ext 101 or egould@rmg.on.ca, to join or donate today!

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where did you get that

?

Staff & Board Chief Executive Officer Donna Raetsen-Kemp Executive Kevin Dougherty, Chair Cheryl Blackman, Vice Chair Vince Bulbrook, Treasurer Gerard O’Neill, Secretary Directors Shashi Bhatia Shaun Downey Tracy Greig Carrie Grimley Denis O’Connell Nick Swerdfeger Councillor Bob Chapman Exhibitions & Collections Senior Curator Linda Jansma Curator of Collections Sonya Jones Preparator Jason Dankel

the rmg shop

Learning & Engagement Manager of Learning & Engagement Saira Knowles

Family Learning Lead Jennifer Welch Learning & Engagement Program Assistant Jessice Gouldthorp Administration & Communications Manager of Finance & Administration Roanna Green Protection Services Manager Stephen Dick Manager of Community & Volunteer Development Carla Sinclair Communications & Digital Media Lead Lucas Cabral Visitor Services & Membership Co-ordinator Elsy Gould Development Manager Melanie Brooks Event Co-ordinator & Venue Rentals Cheryl-Ann Zamulinski

Image courtesy of Empty Cup Media

Your event in our inspired space

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Contact Cheryl-Ann at czamulinski@rmg.on.ca or call 905.576.3000

Photo by AJ Groen

72 Queen Street, Civic Centre Oshawa, Ontario L1H3Z3 905.576.3000 | rmg.on.ca Gallery Hours Monday-Friday: 10am-5pm Thursday: 10am-9pm Saturday: 10am-4pm Sunday: 12pm-4pm Parking Available

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The Robert McLaughlin Gallery

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The RMG is wheelchair accessible and manual wheelchairs are available.

ASL and sign language interpretation may be available upon request.

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Large Print, Tactile Tours & Audio Description are available upon request.

The Robert McLaughlin Gallery is generously assisted by the City of Oshawa, the Ontario Arts Council, the Canada Council for the Arts, the Department of Canadian Heritage, Museums Assistance Program. Additional support is provided by the volunteers of The Robert McLaughlin Gallery, individual members and donors, and local businesses and corporations.

All dates, exhibitions and events are subject to change. Please visit rmg.on.ca for the most up to date information or call 905.576.3000. Copyright 2018. Printed by KKP Pickering.

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Drop-in 1-3pm. Materials provided.

May 13 | June 10 | July 8 | Sept 30

Discover things to do throughout the RMG, follow your imagination and experiment with new ideas and projects.

Families of all kinds and sizes are invited to explore exciting exhibitions, art materials and fun hands-on activities together!