Protect Creatures - The White Snow Goose of Canada
Artist
Joyce Wieland
(Canadian, 1931 - 1998)
Date1971
Mediumwire, thread, fabric
Dimensions26.3 x 24 x 4 cm
Credit LineThe Mendel Art Gallery Collection at Remai Modern. Gift of Tess Taconis 1987.
Object number1987.24.1
Classificationsmixed media
On View
Not on viewA self-described “cultural activist”, Joyce Wieland is best known for toying with notions of Canadian national identity and bringing forward feminist issues within the predominantly male art culture of the time. Wieland was concerned with the impact of pollution and politics on the ecology of Canada and what this meant for Canadian identity and sovereignty. Of particular importance to her was examining issues of environmental change and industry growth, advocating for the protection of Canadian wildlife.
In 1971, the National Gallery of Canada held their first solo exhibition of a living female artist—Joyce Wieland’s True Patriot Love. This was during the time of “Trudeaumania”, and the recent adoption of the national anthem and maple leaf flag. In this seminal exhibition, Wieland played with Canadian symbolism, creating Sweet Beaver Perfume and Arctic Passion Cake alongside other sculptures and assemblages. The multiple, Protect Creatures - The White Snow Goose of Canada was included in this exhibition.
In 1971, the National Gallery of Canada held their first solo exhibition of a living female artist—Joyce Wieland’s True Patriot Love. This was during the time of “Trudeaumania”, and the recent adoption of the national anthem and maple leaf flag. In this seminal exhibition, Wieland played with Canadian symbolism, creating Sweet Beaver Perfume and Arctic Passion Cake alongside other sculptures and assemblages. The multiple, Protect Creatures - The White Snow Goose of Canada was included in this exhibition.
