Finding Solace in the Visual Arts
By: ArtBank / 05 May 2020As it no doubt did with many of you, Covid-19 tossed me unexpectedly into unfamiliar work and social milieus—I’ve been working from home for more than a month, and I rarely see anyone I don’t already live with. I have good days and not-so-good days. And I’ve been wondering how our clients and the visual artists in our collection are faring during this crisis—and what we can do to keep them connected.
At the Art Bank, one way we support Canadian artists is by placing their work in office environments. We choose the pieces carefully, and our clients genuinely appreciate them. We’ve had to put this activity on hold for now—but the collection of more than 17,000 artworks is still available to enjoy virtually. Until it’s safe to physically reconnect with these pieces, our art consultants will create “art selections” (as they would normally do for Art Bank clients) and post them on the Art Bank’s social media feed, including our Facebook page and Instagram account.
Visit often to see what they’ve come up with and what’s changed.
Choosing artworks from the Art Bank
We also want you to keep in touch, so please “drop by” the Art Bank’s main website. And here’s another idea: find a piece in the collection that you can recreate at home using whatever objects you have on hand. Go wild—we’d love to share your creations on social media. Our Art Bank selections may give you some ideas. For inspiration, look to what some artists in our collection have done, like these two who re-created historical artworks in their own oeuvres:
David Buchan, Nytol (The Big Sleep) (1990)
Evergon, Arlésiane (Penny) (1988)
As staff, we are privileged to have artworks from the collection on display in our workspaces. In fact, just before the pandemic closed the Art Bank’s physical location, I completely changed the selection in my own office, breathing new energy into my environment. I miss those works of art these days—not just their beauty, but the occasions they presented for deeper contemplation of their meaning. I miss walking through the collection every day.
Denyse Thomasos, Jaipur Royal Visit (2007), recently installed in Amy's office
Mimi Cabri, Falco Peregrinus (2004), recently installed in Amy's office
In a mid-April briefing, Prime Minister Trudeau said, “Artists…help us to reflect on life, and dream. They bring sunshine into our daily lives, and we are very grateful for that.” Indeed, many of us have turned to the arts to help us navigate and comprehend this crisis and nourish our souls. Some of us have even begun to make art at home as a distraction from the situation.
I hope sincerely that you and your loved ones remain safe and healthy during these strange and challenging times, and that engaging with the Art Bank collection online will offer you some virtual solace for now. Our Art Bank staff are looking forward to bringing the visual arts back into our community as soon as this is over.
About the Author: Amy Jenkins
Amy Jenkins is the Head of the Canada Council Art Bank. She manages the Art Bank’s operations and the delivery of its programs, including art rental, loans, exhibitions and outreach activities. During the pandemic, Amy is working from home with her husband, cat and bird. She finds peace in book binding.