A collection of contemporary Canadian art to share
The Art Bank’s collection offers a journey through the evolution of contemporary Canadian art. The Art Bank’s rental program puts these works—and their history—into close contact with communities across Canada, in spaces where people work and visit.
As a means of broadening access to art in public spaces, over the past 20 years, the Art Bank has also donated several artworks to a variety of organizations, including galleries and museums and other collections in outdoor public spaces. Whenever possible, the Art Bank has worked in collaboration with the artists to find an appropriate venue. This has broadened the impact and access to exceptional art made in Canada.
Over the past year, the Art Bank has been working with the City of Montréal's Public Art Bureau to negotiate the donation of Personnages by Louis Archambault, which has a very important history with the city of Montréal.
A universal exposition of hope
In 1967, Montréal hosted the International and Universal Exposition—fondly referred to as Expo 67—a world fair that gave countries an opportunity to showcase innovation and connect with people from many cultures. The theme of Expo 67 was “Man and His World.” As host country, Canada used art, architecture and technology to express its optimism for the future.
Renowned Canadians joined forces to create the many pavilions, structures and installations that became synonymous with Expo 67. One important artist was Quebec’s Louis Archambault, who was commissioned to create Personnages— a sculptural installation including 11 large figures, each with its own name, such as “Mère,” “Père,” “Enfant,” and “Angèle.” The welded-steel figures had a simple elongated design.
Personnages by Louis Archambault installed at Expo 67
The sculptures were installed in front of the Canadian Pavilion in what is now known as Parc Jean-Drapeau for the entire Expo. Archambault received international acclaim for his work. After the exposition closed, some of the fair’s elements—including Personnages—remained on display to the public until 1984.
After the removal of Personnages from the site, the artwork made its way to a courtyard in a government-owned building in Ottawa. In 2005, Alan Elder, then-curator of Canadian Crafts at the Canadian Museum of Civilization (now known as the Canadian Museum of History), located the sculptures in a state of disrepair and called the Art Bank to discuss the possibility of accepting them into the collection. With negotiations between Public Works and the Art Bank, the sculptures were transferred into the Art Bank’s capable hands.
The Art Bank subsequently led a full restoration and, fittingly, Personnages was publicly displayed on the grounds of the Canadian Museum of History for more than a decade before being returned to the Art Bank in 2017.
Personnages by Louis Archambault was installed at the Canadian Museum of History from 2005 to 2017
The artwork comes full circle
As recently announced by the Société du parc Jean-Drapeau, Archambault’s Personnages is returning to Montréal. The move is part of a larger rehabilitation project at Parc Jean-Drapeau, which is bringing back some aspects of Expo 67. The Art Bank worked closely with the City of Montréal's Public Art Bureau to donate the sculptures to this important project with an anticipated installation in 2025-2026.
“We couldn’t have asked for a better way to celebrate our 50th anniversary than with the donation of this important artwork,” said Amy Jenkins, Head of the Art Bank. “The return of these sculptures to the City of Montréal is an important moment that makes a piece of Canadian history available to everyone in Canada. Making art more accessible is what Art Bank donations are all about.”