From Canvas to Crypto: NFT art – and everything in between

On your next visit to the Ottawa Art Gallery, you’ll discover the work of eight francophone artists who have recently ventured into NFTs. Their creations are part of the unique exhibition NFT(s): Passages, which invites the public to delve into the “phygital” realm—the shift from physical artworks to digital NFTs and explore themes of fragmentation, evolution, storytelling, and alternate realities.  

NFTs have surged in popularity in recent years and present exciting opportunities for both artists and collectors, paving the way for Web 3.0—a more democratized era for digital art.  

If you are reading this and are wondering “what are NFTs?”, we’ve got you! NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) are digital assets, including art and music, that are unique, traceable, and secured on a blockchain, ensuring they cannot be replicated. For those who are now wondering “ok, but what is a blockchain?”, no problem! Presented along the artworks, which are displayed throughout OAG (and which you can find with the help of a map) you will also encounter glossary terms to help you navigate concepts such as blockchain, minting, and cryptoart. The complete glossary is also posted here, for those who want to get a head start!  

The group exhibition NFT(s) : Passages, is displayed throughout the OAG from September 7, 2024 to October 6, 2024.  

The exhibition is presented by the Ottawa Art Gallery in partnership with the Bureau des regroupements des artistes visuels de l’Ontario (BRAVO), an organization dedicated to promoting and supporting the growth of visual artists in French-speaking Ontario through representation, training, promotion, and dissemination support.