Over the past few weeks, campus visitors, students and staff have been able to admire 22 portraits by artist and former University of Ottawa student Manon Elder from her High Tea series Donated by Elder to the University, the works of art are displayed in Tabaret Hall along the south hallway leading to Room 112 (the former chapel), thus transforming the first floor into an art gallery.
Both David Mitchell, vice-president of university relations, and Penny Cousineau-Levine, chair of the Department of Visual Arts, hope this exhibition is just the first step towards creating a permanent art gallery at the University.
“It’s an inspirational donation,” says Mitchell. “It has allowed us to think in a more focussed fashion about the art donations that the University could seek. Presently, the University does not have the proper exhibition or storage space to house major collections. An art gallery, working in conjunction with the visual arts program, would allow a proper curatorial approach and it could also become a significant repository of Canadian art.”
Manon Elder’s High Tea is a series of 22 portraits (17 paintings and five photographic reproductions) depicting the hands of prominent Canadian women each holding a cup of tea with backgrounds that symbolize some of their individual accomplishments. Subjects include former Governor General Adrienne Clarkson, Justice Louise Arbour, politician and feminist Rosemary Brown, Olympic rower Silken Laumann, Grand Chief Rose Charlie, author Antonine Maillet, and artist Mary Pratt.
Elder considers it “a great honour” to see the series displayed in this manner. “My High Tea is not a commercial project; it’s not meant to go to a private art gallery.” She was particularly pleased that the series could play an educational role in a university milieu. “That other people can see and learn from it and to reach that many budding minds when they are being formed… to influence that age group is huge.”
High Tea is the most recent addition to the University’s art collection. Among the approximately 300 works are 125 silkscreens, a number of oil paintings, watercolours, photographs and pieces of sculpture. The majority of pieces were donated by alumni, as well as by individuals from the local and national community.
“Thanks to these works of art, the University community enjoys a favourable environment in which to appreciate the importance of art in everyday life,” says Johanne Beauchesne of the office of the vice-president, academic. We are very grateful for this type of donation and it is our responsibility to ensure its preservation.”
The acquisition of works of art is governed by the University’s Policy 10. An advisory committee reviews all possible donations. The committee is chaired by President Gilles Patry and is made up of professors Leslie Reid and Penny Cousineau-Levine; Claudio Brun del Re, assistant director of planning and programming; a representative from the alumni relations office; and Johanne Beauchesne.
Manon Elder would be pleased to receive comments about her works. To contact her, send an e-mail with “Comments on High Tea” in the subject line at manonelder@pacificcoast.net.
