Remai Modern’s upcoming exhibitions offer diverse perspectives
For immediate release — February 4, 2020
SASKATOON, CANADA — In 2020, Remai Modern continues its vision to connect art with local and global communities through a compelling lineup of exhibition that feature local, national and international artists.
“Over the past several months, I’ve found it energizing to see such a diverse and compelling program come together. Our curators are exploring themes of identity, personal space and storytelling in ways that feel particularly timely as we look at our world from both a local and global perspective,” said Lynn McMaster, Interim Executive Director and CEO. “This year, Remai Modern is supporting a number of firsts—including first major museum exhibition and first exhibition in Canada—with artists from the Prairies, Canada and the world. We look forward to sharing these new experiences with all Remai Modern visitors.”
This past weekend the museum opened Next Year’s Country, an expansive exhibition that encompasses all five spaces in our Collection Galleries and features work by more than 30 artists, many of them with deep Prairie roots, which offers an opportunity to explore the evolution of Remai Modern’s collection from its beginnings to today. As the year unfold, visitors will experience a diverse mix of work and many different artist voices, from the humorous performance work of Canadian artist Bridget Moser to the filmic works of New Zealand artist Shannon Te Ao, in first time exhibiting in Canada.
In May, Remai Modern is excited to welcome back Frederick Mulder, a printmaking expert whose Picasso linocut collection came to Remai Modern thanks to the generosity of museum namesake Ellen Remai. He also donated a selection of Picasso ceramics to Remai Modern prior to the museum’s opening.
Mulder will guest curate an exhibition of Remai Modern’s linocut collection alongside his colleague Anne-Francoise Gavanon entitled Picasso Linocuts: Drawing in Colour. He will also be in Saskatoon to take part in Picasso & Company: Exploring the Collaborative Work of Pablo Picasso, a symposium Remai Modern is presenting in collaboration with the University of Saskatchewan from May 21-23.
In the fall, Remai Modern and the Art Gallery of Alberta will launch the 2020 Biennial of Contemporary Art. This collaboration will produce two concurrent exhibitions on view in Saskatoon and Edmonton. Working with the theme of borders, the biennial features more than 30 artists from and/or residing in Alberta or Saskatchewan.
Remai Modern’s exhibitions alongside a robust program of films, talks, tours, artmaking and more. Visit remaimodern.org/calendar for the most up-to-date event listings.
The museum will announce several more exhibitions later this year.
Here’s a brief overview of just some of the exhibitions visitors can expect at Remai Modern in 2020.
Next Year’s Country
Now on view
Collection Galleries
Next Year’s Country explores ideas of place, belonging and history on the Prairies. This expansive exhibition draws on Remai Modern’s permanent collection, encompassing all five Collection Galleries spaces. It features work by more than 30 artists, including Edward Poitras, Dana Claxton, Allen Sapp, David Thauberger and many more. The exhibition runs through October 12, 2020.
Bridget Moser, My Crops are Dying But My Body Persists
Opens March 17
Connect Gallery
Remai Modern presents a new solo exhibition and performance by Canadian artist Bridget Moser. One of the country’s leading young artists, Moser has received national recognition for her satirical performance and video projects that draw on prop comedy, experimental theatre and performance art. The exhibition opens with a live performance at the museum on March 17.
Shannon Te Ao, Ka mua, ka muri
Opens April 11
Feature Gallery
Ka mua, ka muri is a new sound and moving image installation by Aotearoa New Zealand-based Maori artist Shannon Te Ao (Ngāti Tūwharetoa). The work explores our experience of time, history and song. The exhibition, a co-commission with Oakville Galleries, marks the artist’s first solo museum exhibitions in Canada.
Pablo Picasso: Drawing in Colour
Opens May 16
Picasso Gallery
Pablo Picasso, a prolific artist best known for painting, was also a revolutionary figure in the art of linocut. This exhibition, drawing from Remai Modern’s comprehensive collection of Picasso linocuts, explores the phases of the printing process and how Picasso pushed the medium to its limits. This exhibition is being guest curated by Frederick Mulder, a well-known dealer of Picasso prints originally from Eston, Saskatchewan, and his colleague, Anne-Francoise Gavanon. From May 21-23, Remai Modern will also host Picasso & Company, a symposium exploring the collaborative work of Picasso, in collaboration with the University of Saskatchewan.
2020 Biennial of Contemporary Art
Opens September 26
Marquee Gallery
Remai Modern is pleased to present the 2020 Biennial of Contemporary Art. In partnership with the Art Gallery of Alberta, the exhibitions are on view concurrently in Saskatoon and Edmonton. The exhibition at Remai Modern features Judy Anderson, Cindy Baker, Elisabeth Belliveau, Heather Benning, Lisa Birke, Bill Burns, Wally Dion, Don Gill, Laura Hale, Laura Kinzel, Michèle Mackasey, Barbara Meneley, Tim Moore, Lyndal Osborne, Nurgul Rodriguez, Laura St. Pierre, Justin Waddell, Blair Fornwald and Nic Wilson.
The exhibition at the Art Gallery of Alberta features aiya 啊呀! (a collective consisting of Grace Law and Shawn Tse 謝兆龍), Jason Baerg, Catherine Blackburn, Lori Blondeau, Sean Caulfield, Thirza Jean Cuthand, April Dean, Clay Ellis, Carole Epp, Hali Heavy Shield & Corinne Thiessen, Gwenessa Lam, Martina Lantin, David LaRiviere, Amy Malbeuf, Elise Rasmussen, tunnel (Jen Reimer & Magnus Tiesenhausen) and Mindy Yan Miller.
About Remai Modern
Remai Modern is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Traditional Homeland of the Métis. We pay our respects to First Nations and Métis ancestors and reaffirm our relationship with one another.
Remai Modern is a new museum of modern and contemporary art in Saskatoon. The museum is committed to affirming the powerful role that art and artists play in questioning, interpreting and defining the modern era. Open since October 2017, Remai Modern is the largest contemporary art museum in western Canada and houses a collection of more than 8,000 works, including the world’s foremost collection of Picasso linocut prints.
Remai Modern would like to acknowledge the contributions of the Frank & Ellen Remai Foundation, the Canada Council for the Arts, SaskCulture through the Sask Lotteries Fund, the Saskatchewan Arts Board and the City of Saskatoon.
For additional information contact:
Stephanie McKay, Communications Manager
306.975.2242