Acquired in 1964, front cover detail, book launch at faculty and staff exhibition, AHVA Gallery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, 2015.
Acquired in 1964, publication detail, book launch at faculty and staff exhibition, AHVA Gallery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, 2015.
Acquired in 1964, Cathy and students, book launch at faculty and staff exhibition, AHVA Gallery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, 2015.
Acquired in 1964, Cathy and students, book launch at faculty and staff exhibition, AHVA Gallery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, 2015.
Acquired in 1964, publication front cover, Confederation Center Art Gallery, Charlottetown, 2015.
ACQUIRED IN 1964 (2015)
ACQUIRED IN 1964 is the accompanying publication to the exhibition Cathy Busby: Acquired in 1964 (Confederation Center Art Gallery in Charlottetown, PEI, October 25, 2014 - March 15, 2015) which displayed the collection that Confederation Centre Art Gallery’s first director, Moncrieff Williamson, purchased ahead of a royal visit from the Queen in 1964, and shed light on his acquisition choices.
Influenced by a variety of things, including his personal network, Williamson's selections reflect the dominant sentiments in art valuation of that era through the notable lack of work from female, Indigenous or artists of other cultural backgrounds. Out of the original 33 pieces, 17 were unaccounted for: seven were no longer in the collection, another seven were out on loan for other exhibitions and three were in conservation at the time. To note the absences in the collection, I painted white silhouettes on the muted green gallery walls, the colour of painting backings of that era.
This publication contextualizes my research process, bringing together interviews, my correspondence with the Confederation Centre Art Gallery director, Charlottetown residents memories of the 1964 opening, and a catalogue of the original 33 pieces.