Indigenous Art

Overview

The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) in Toronto, Canada, stands as a prominent cultural beacon, housing an extensive collection of over 120,000 artworks. Among its diverse offerings, the Indigenous Art collection is a vibrant and essential component, reflecting a deep commitment to showcasing the rich artistic traditions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples, as well as global Indigenous art. This dedicated space offers visitors a profound journey through historical and contemporary Indigenous creativity, presented within the J.S. McLean Centre for Indigenous & Canadian Art.

Far from being a mere subsection, Indigenous art at the AGO is presented as a foundational narrative, engaging in dynamic dialogue with Canadian art and inviting visitors to explore profound themes of philosophy, world health, kinship, history, and sovereignty. It provides a critical lens through which to understand the artistic landscape of North America and beyond, offering a comprehensive and evolving perspective on Indigenous cultures.

History & Cultural Background

Indigenous art, with its deep roots, is recognized as the oldest art form globally. The AGO's journey in collecting Indigenous art has evolved significantly over the decades. While the museum traditionally focused on European and Canadian artists, a conscious shift began in the late 1970s and 1980s with the acquisition of significant Inuit artworks. A pivotal moment arrived in 2016 with the appointment of Wanda Nanibush as the AGO's first Curator of Indigenous Art, leading to the establishment of a dedicated Department of Canadian and Indigenous Art.

This renewed focus culminated in the reimagining of the J.S. McLean Centre in 2018. The curators intentionally moved away from a chronological presentation, which might have relegated Indigenous art to a secondary role within a Eurocentric timeline. Instead, the galleries are designed to allow 'contemporary Indigenous art to start the conversation with Canadian art,' ensuring that Indigenous artistic expressions speak on their own terms. This approach underscores the ongoing vitality and critical importance of Indigenous artistic practices, both historically and in the present day.

What Makes It Special

The Indigenous Art collection at the AGO is distinguished by its incredible breadth and depth. It encompasses a vast array of works from the First Peoples of North America—First Nations, Inuit, and Métis—and remarkably extends to global Indigenous Art, featuring significant pieces from Africa, Australia, and the Torres Strait Islands. A particularly notable highlight is the AGO's extensive collection of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artwork, which, with over 1,000 pieces, is the largest of its kind in Canada, including an impressive 327 unique boomerangs.

The collection also boasts a substantial holding of contemporary Inuit art, featuring over 5,000 objects, including 2,800 sculptures, 1,300 prints, and 700 drawings. These works, primarily created in Canada since 1948, often reflect the current realities and challenges faced in the Canadian North. For First Nations art, the collection includes historical treasures like the Anishnaabe Gunstock Club from the early 1800s and argillite poles by the master carver Charles Edenshaw, alongside compelling works by contemporary artists such as Shelley Niro, Norval Morrisseau, and Travis Shilling. The curatorial strategy organizes these works around powerful themes like 'origins,' 'self,' 'land,' 'water,' 'transformations,' and 'indigenous2indigenous,' fostering connections and dialogues rather than strict historical divisions. Furthermore, labels in the McLean Centre are provided in Indigenous languages (Anishinaabemowin and Inuktitut) as well as English and French, enhancing cultural accessibility and recognition.

Stories, Fun Facts & Local Details

Visitors to the AGO's Indigenous Art collection will encounter many compelling works that tell unique stories. One popular piece is Manasie Akpaliapik's 'Respecting the Circle,' a large sculpture crafted from whalebone, ivory, stone, antler, baleen, and horn, showcasing traditional materials and themes. Another striking contemporary Inuit artwork is 'Bear Tangled in Barbed Wire' (2007-2014), which powerfully illustrates the increasing vulnerability of Inuit life and the impacts of climate change.

The collection also features works by contemporary artists who engage with modern issues. Alan Michelson's multimedia installation, 'Theatrum Orbis Terrarum (Theatre of the World)' (2019), is a recent acquisition that uses video projections on globes to explore global interconnectedness. Anishinaabe artist Travis Shilling, son of the renowned Arthur Shilling, contributes pieces like 'Owl' and 'The Excavators #2' (2019) from his 'Tyrannosaurus Clan' series, which delves into the complex relationships between humans, animals, and industrial development on First Nation lands. A thought-provoking work by Rebecca Belmore, 'Rising to the Occasion' (1987-91), an Anishinaabe-kwe artist, is a dress she wore in a performance that responded to a royal visit to Ontario, displayed in dialogue with other Canadian art pieces. These works offer insights into the resilience, adaptation, and ongoing narratives within Indigenous cultures.

Visitor Perspective

For any traveler exploring the Art Gallery of Ontario, a visit to the Indigenous Art collection within the J.S. McLean Centre for Indigenous & Canadian Art is highly recommended and can be a profound experience. The AGO actively works to make its collection accessible and welcoming to all. Importantly, the gallery offers complimentary admission to all Indigenous Peoples, ensuring that these vital cultural narratives are freely available. Additionally, Ontarians under the age of 25 can enjoy a free annual pass, encouraging younger generations to engage with art.

To enhance the visitor experience, the AGO provides physical maps at the welcome desk, and a digital guide is available through the Bloomberg Connects app, offering audio and video content in 40 languages. The gallery is situated in the vibrant Grange Park neighborhood of downtown Toronto, easily accessible and a key part of the city's cultural landscape. The thoughtfully curated spaces and the depth of the collection promise an engaging and educational visit, offering a unique opportunity to connect with diverse Indigenous voices and stories.