Canadian Stories: The View From Here

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Margaret Shelton, "Upper Hot Springs, Banff," 1952

woodcut on paper, Collection of Glenbow; Gift of Pat Marcellus, 2000

Big birthdays provide us with the opportunity to reflect on the past and to look forward to the future. This exhibition presents a unique western Canadian perspective on Canadian history – just in time for Canada’s sesquicentennial.

There are many works of art in Glenbow’s collection that document historic moments in the West, and we’ve included some of them here: photographs, almost as old as Canadian Confederation, that document conditions on the fur trade frontier; watercolour sketches of the Blackfoot and North-West Mounted Police camps at the signing of Treaty 7; and evocative prints that illustrate the hardships endured on the Canadian prairies during the Great Depression.

Canadian Stories features artwork by more than 30 artists, reflecting diverse points of view, changing attitudes and sometimes a rereading of Canadian history. Contemporary artwork by artists such as Shawna Dempsey, Bob Boyer and Edward Burtynsky illustrate how works of art can prompt us to question not only the past but our perspectives today and how we can shape the future.

And then there are elements of Canadianness – those sometimes intangible things that define us and that we hold most dear. We’ve offered a few suggestions, ranging from the changing of the seasons to landscapes laden with memories and symbolism, and invite you to consider what Canada means to you as we recognize 150 years of our shared history.