2020 Acquisitions: Art Donated to OAG, Part 2

Focused on the work of historical and contemporary artists who have contributed to the artistic life of the Ottawa-Gatineau region, our Permanent Collection is an essential part of the OAG’s activities. In this blog series, we are excited to look back and share a roundup of our 2020 acquisitions, and the ways in which these works help to enrich our Collection.

As we continue to look back on our 2020 acquisitions, we’re thrilled to share more artworks we received through generous donation last year!

An exciting contribution to the OAG’s holdings of local historical art was made with the gift of a 19th century oil painting believed to be the only visual record of the wooden bridge that once connected Cummings Island on the Rideau River to Rideau Street. Looking to the mid-20th century, we also acquired Still Life with Iris (1962), a large oil work by prominent Canadian modernist Goodridge Roberts, and an excellent example of the artist’s late oeuvre.

Three works by Ottawa artist Norman Takeuchi, ceramicist Mimi Cabri, and Gatineau-based artist Chantal Dahan were also generously donated by collector Mela Constantinidi, adding to our holdings of work by local artists. The gift of a cast bronze and mixed-media piece by artist Anna Williams – depicting a reimagining of the Greek myth Leda and the Swan – enriched our collection of sculpture, while another large-scale installation by Christos Pantieras further strengthened our collection of installation.

Finally, a print from Jennifer Dickson’s Song of Solomon series, two enamel on paper works by Kenneth Lochhead, and our first work – a dynamic lithograph on paper – by renowned Ottawa animator Norman McLaren also joined the collection.

The OAG would like to thank donors John Doyle, Glynnis French, Mela Constantinidi, Freda and Irwin Browns, Doug Williams, a private collection, and Mark Schaan (with additional support from a community of queers, lovers and friends, in honour of his 41st Birthday) for their generous gifts of artworks.

Stay tuned for more exciting acquisitions featured in our next – and final – 2020 acquisitions blog post!