The realm of mythical beasts spans every culture and exists in all our folklore. We not only find them in our intangible heritage, but also in contemporary literature, art, film, science and culture. In the AGGV’s extensive collection of European, North American, First Nations and Asian art, a menagerie of fantastic beasts reveal countless stories.
AGGV Curator Haema Sivanesan is a recent recipient of a Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation research grant in the amount of $150,000. She was also awarded a $50,000 curatorial research fellowship from the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts. What is Sivanesan working on and why? Hint: it’s infinitely vast with neither a beginning nor an end. Therefore, let’s start with the present moment…
In anticipation of the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria’s building renewal project, our Collections team are faced with the mammoth task of preparing over 20,000 art pieces to be packed up. Allowing our visitors a peek behind the scenes, the LAB Gallery has been transformed into a staging area for the packing up…
In preparation of a future exhibition on Buddhism and contemporary art practices at the AGGV, this issue’s Art Terms post will focus on terms and names associated with this ancient system of beliefs.
by Audrey Wang, AGGV Marketing Volunteer
Perhaps it comes as no surprise that women are now, more than ever, breaking into the traditionally male-dominated role as art collector and patron.
By Jenelle Pasiechnik
Ensô (featured image above) painted by the accomplished, 20th century, Zen master Inaba Shinden depicts a symbol central to Zen meditative practice. The ensô, meaning “circle”, is one of the most common subjects of Japanese calligraphy.
By Audrey Wang, AGGV Marketing Volunteer
Did you know that tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world after water? Tea is believed to have been drunk in China since the Shang dynasty (1700-1027 BC) and may have begun as a medicinal tonic.
As a follow-up on our previous Art Terms For Beginners post where we demystified European art terms, this post will look at terminology specific to Asian art.
In July, Curator Emeritus Barry Till led the curator’s tour of Remembering A Patron: Asian Art Donations from Dr Judith Patt, to a room full of Asian art enthusiasts and friends of the late Judith Patt.