A significant donation of 24 artworks at the National Gallery of Canada

A significant donation of 24 artworks at the National Gallery of Canada

The National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa has announced a significant donation of 24 contemporary artworks from Vancouver-based philanthropist and collector Bob Rennie and his family. The works were created by four leading contemporary artists: Kerry James Marshall, Christopher Williams, Brian Jungen, and Jin-me Yoon.

With this contribution, the total number of works donated by the Rennie family to the museum since 2012 now stands at 284. According to the gallery’s director and CEO, Jean-François Bélisle, the donation strengthens the national collection and helps better represent influential voices in contemporary art.

Among the notable works is Sillage (2003), an installation by Kerry James Marshall that reflects on the history and lasting legacy of the transatlantic slave trade.

The donation also includes 17 photographic works by Christopher Williams, ranging from individual photographs to large-scale installations, making the National Gallery of Canada one of the leading holders of his work.

The contribution also highlights two major figures in contemporary Canadian art. Vancouver-based artist Jin-me Yoon will see her work Souvenirs de moi (1991–2001) join the national collection, while four works by Brian Jungen are also included, among them Prototype for New Understanding No. 10 (2001), a sculpture made from athletic shoes transformed into objects evoking Northwest Coast Indigenous masks.

According to Bob Rennie, the donation aims to ensure that these works are preserved within a public institution so they can be discovered and studied by future generations.

For more information about events taking place at the museum, visit the National Gallery of Canada website.