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CMHR Showcases Art from the Heart

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This article was published 26/08/2021 (1731 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Two new exhibitions aim to cultivate thought-provoking and uplifting experiences at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.

The museum recently reopened to the public with ample room for learning, discovery, and exploration. The spacious layout allows visitors to physically distance, and the museum maintains rigorous cleaning protocols, a mask requirement and other safety measures so that everyone can feel safe and welcome.

On July 30, a vibrant new art exhibition entitled ARTiculate Our Rights launched to showcase the works of more than 100 youth from across the province inspired by human rights.

This project began last year with a provincewide call for youth to submit artwork that represents their vision of human rights for themselves, their families and their communities. In the summer of 2020, select artworks were on display at The Forks in an outdoor juried exhibition.

Now the immersive indoor component engages audiences through vivid digital displays until June 30, 2022.

“These colourful artworks tackle important issues like voting rights, refugee rights, women’s rights, experiences of 2SLGBTQ+ people and more,” said communications advisor Rorie Mcleod.

“It’s an uplifting experience that’s designed to connect with youth as well as adults. The exhibition is a testimony for how our future is in good hands. Youth in this province are engaged and care deeply about the future that we’re going to realize together.”

Another must-see exhibition shares the Witness Blanket, a moving creation by Master Carver Carey Newman that honours residential school survivors and shares their stories. Newman, a Kwakwaka’wakw and Coast Salish artist, melds together more than 800 reclaimed pieces from the sites of former residential schools across Canada, and pieces donated from survivors and their families, into the riveting form of a cedar “blanket.”

This 12-metre-long work of art offers an opportunity for visitors to learn more about residential schools and survivors’ experiences.

“The Witness Blanket includes pieces such as a braid of hair that was donated and a small leather shoe that was collected from the site of a residential school,” Mcleod said. “Each piece tells a story that all Canadians should know.”

The work of art is on display now as part of Witness Blanket: Preserving a Legacy. The exhibition also shares how the museum works in partnership with Newman and others to care for this work of art. It includes a documentary film produced by Newman entitled Picking Up the Pieces: The Making of the Witness Blanket in which visitors can learn from residential school survivors and from Newman himself about why he created the artwork and how it came to be.

“For anyone asking themselves questions about their role in decolonization and reconciliation, the Witness Blanket is a great way to learn more and continue on that journey,” said Mcleod.

Until the end of September, admission to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights is 25 per cent off when booked online.

Museum admission provides visitors with access to these two new exhibitions, along with the hundreds of other stories featured in the museum’s galleries. With open, airy spaces, timed ticketing and other safety measures to ensure every visitor is comfortable, there’s always room for you and yours at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.

For more information, visit www.humanrights.ca or call 204-289-2000.