Wander the Wonder at Museum London

by Beth Stewart

(Pictured: Museum London’s New Logo)

Museum London has a fresh look in its Volunteer and Moore Galleries – the second-floor rooms at the top of the stairs. For years, these two spaces have offered a melodious glimpse at Canadian art with an emphasis on local. It was always interesting to view, but rather complacent in its charm. Now, walls have been removed and the spaces are opened up.

The new permanent collection exhibition All Around Me, All Around You still features Canadian artworks and historical artifacts from Museum London’s collection, and some of the previously displayed pieces remain on display, but they are recontextualized.

The show is organized into three themes: People, Places and Things; Raw Sensations and Language; and Memory and Belief.

People, Places and Things is where you will find artists such as Paul Peel. Raw Sensations and Language is where you will find Ron Martin and his ilk. Greg Curnoe can be found in Memory and Belief.

(Installation shot of Snake by Walter Redinger and She is Lost Forever by Thelma Rosner. Photo by Beth Stewart.)

All Around Me, All Around You is a thoughtful exhibition and repeated visits will certainly pay off. At first encounter, Walter Redinger’s sculpture, Snake, is striking in both colour and form. Thelma Rosner’s She is Lost Forever is beautiful to behold as it reigns supreme in its vaulted perch. Finally, the juxtaposition of Bernice Vincent’s Ironing Board with Mary Pratt’s Roast Beef is downright clever.

(Installation shot of Bernice Vincent’s Ironing Board with Mary Pratt’s Roast Beef. Photo by Beth Stewart.)

A bit more tweaking might be in order. This writer finds the continued display of Ken Monkman’s installation, Nativity Scene, a tad tedious and suggests that it give way to other installation pieces over time. Bernice Vincents’s actual 1992/93 piece All Around Me…All Around You would be perfect here, or something else from the vaults.

For more information about Museum London and its Exhibitions & Installations, visit https://museumlondon.ca/

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