State of the art Paintings in government collection making a move

If you’ve ever spent any time in the Manitoba Legislative Building in the weeks after a change in government, you may notice the buzz of activity taking place in the basement around the Provincial Art Collection office.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 02/01/2024 (1006 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

If you’ve ever spent any time in the Manitoba Legislative Building in the weeks after a change in government, you may notice the buzz of activity taking place in the basement around the Provincial Art Collection office.

The office staff — visual arts consultant Amy Karlinsky and a couple of student employees — can be seen moving large paintings around the area outside their doors in preparation for an MLA or minister to drop by to select art to be displayed in their offices.

The provincial art collection, formalized in 1970, contains about 3,800 pieces; those works are installed in more 100 buildings with multiple offices across the province. It is a working collection and pieces are rotated for conservation reasons, to prevent physical harm and to showcase the diversity of the art and artists.

MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
Amy Karlinsky, visual arts consultant with Manitoba's department of Sport, Culture, Heritage and Tourism, sorts artwork in the Provincial Art Collection office in the Manitoba Legislative Building.

MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

Amy Karlinsky, visual arts consultant with Manitoba's department of Sport, Culture, Heritage and Tourism, sorts artwork in the Provincial Art Collection office in the Manitoba Legislative Building.

The collection grows every year via purchase, donation and sometimes by commissioned work.

The focus of the collection today is on diversity, the work of contemporary living artists from Manitoba and Indigenous artists. Highlights of the collection include the work of seven Indigenous-identified artists — Lita Fontaine, Dee Barsy, Jackie Traverse, Michel St. Hilaire, Len Fairchuk, Carly Morrisseau and Christine Kirouac — that were purchased during the 2022/2023 fiscal year, some of which can be seen hanging in department offices in locations including the Woodsworth Building, the Electric Chambers Building, 300 Carlton St. and the legislative building.

MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
Karlinsky transports a painting by Ilona Stanley through the halls of the Manitoba Legislative Building.

MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

Karlinsky transports a painting by Ilona Stanley through the halls of the Manitoba Legislative Building.

MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
Hanna Ferris, a student employment placement who works in the provicincial arts collection department, moves a couple of Gordon Adaskin paintings, Hockey Series #1 and #2, through the Manitoba Legislative Building.

MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

Hanna Ferris, a student employment placement who works in the provicincial arts collection department, moves a couple of Gordon Adaskin paintings, Hockey Series #1 and #2, through the Manitoba Legislative Building.

MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
Karlinsky (left) and government press secretary Naline Rampersad check out a painting that was donated to the collection in the spring of 2023 by the Bichitra-Bengali Association of Manitoba.

MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

Karlinsky (left) and government press secretary Naline Rampersad check out a painting that was donated to the collection in the spring of 2023 by the Bichitra-Bengali Association of Manitoba.

MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
A staff member helps Karlinsky (right) hang Ilona Stanley's Winter Windin the office of Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara.

MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

A staff member helps Karlinsky (right) hang Ilona Stanley's Winter Windin the office of Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara.

Mike Deal

Mike Deal
Photojournalist

Mike Deal started freelancing for the Winnipeg Free Press in 1997. Three years later, he landed a part-time job as a night photo desk editor.

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