Art
‘Surreal’: northeastern Ontario artist Christi Belcourt receives postage stamp, Order of Canada
Visual artist Christi Belcourt says the final days of June, 2024 were “surreal” after she was invested into the Order of Canada, became the first Métis artist to have her work displayed at Rideau Hall – the official residence of the governor general of Canada – and was honoured by Canada Post with a postage stamp bearing her image,
Belcourt, who has lived along the coast of Lake Huron for the past 25 years, also recently received the Order of Gabriel DuMont given out by the Gabriel DuMont Institute to those who have served or continue to serve the Métis of Canada with distinction. It is among the Métis Nation’s highest civilian honours.
“That was very touching and overwhelming because that came from my community,” Belcourt said.
“And then this week, of course, with my face on the stamp — I tried to negotiate to get just my art on a stamp. I’m the kind of person that likes to be behind the camera, not in front of it.”
Belcourt said the stamp’s unveiling ceremony, which was attended by family members and old friends, was “a very touching moment.”
No stranger to acclaim
Belcourt is no stranger to acclaim.
Her beadwork-inspired art hangs in the National Gallery of Canada.
She’s been an Ontario Arts Council Indigenous Arts Award Laureate, and she’s received a Governor General’s Innovation Award and two honourary doctorates from Algoma University and Wilfred Laurier University.
The painting on display at Rideau Hall is called “Honouring My Spirit Helpers” and is on loan from Toronto’s Seventh Generation Midwives, Belcourt explained.
“It looks like a symphony of flowers emerging out of one pile of rocks, which, for people who do know, it will look like sweat lodge rocks, which is a sacred ceremony that we do,” she said.
“There’s roots that go deep into this pile of ground. And then this pile of ground is surrounded by a level of water that has plants and fish and two muskrats, which talks about our creation story about Muskrat and how Muskrat brought the earth up when the world was flooded.”
The piece is around 10 feet wide, she added.
It’s being hung in the Rideau Hall ballroom.
“It matches the wall perfectly, which was really surprising,” Belcourt said.
Love for her country
Asked how she felt about receiving the Order of Canada from a country she often takes to task, Belcourt said she loves the country and wants to see it do better.
“I love every single tree. I love every single body of water. I love every river to the depths of my soul. I have nothing but compassion for every single person,” she said.
“We need to raise the ODSP. We need to do all sorts of things to make this a better place. And I won’t stop speaking about that.”
She urged people to consider how global demand for electric vehicles and other electronics may be complicating the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which was the world’s largest cobalt miner in 2022, according to the U.S. International Trade Administration.
“I believe that there are technologies that are out there that can help the world,” she said. “But I also believe that we can’t … commit human rights abuses on our way to do it.”
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The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House has reopened its doors to the public after a fire swept through the historic building in central London. While the gallery has resumed operations, the rest of the iconic site remains closed “until further notice.”
On Saturday, approximately 125 firefighters were called to the scene to battle the blaze, which sent smoke billowing across the city. Fortunately, the fire occurred in a part of the building not housing valuable artworks, and no injuries were reported. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.
Despite the disruption, art lovers queued outside the gallery before it reopened at 10:00 BST on Sunday. One visitor expressed his relief, saying, “I was sad to see the fire, but I’m relieved the art is safe.”
The Clark family, visiting London from Washington state, USA, had a unique perspective on the incident. While sightseeing on the London Eye, they watched as firefighters tackled the flames. Paul Clark, accompanied by his wife Jiorgia and their four children, shared their concern for the safety of the artwork inside Somerset House. “It was sad to see,” Mr. Clark told the BBC. As a fan of Vincent Van Gogh, he was particularly relieved to learn that the painter’s famous Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear had not been affected by the fire.
Blaze in the West Wing
The fire broke out around midday on Saturday in the west wing of Somerset House, a section of the building primarily used for offices and storage. Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, assured the public that “no valuable artefacts or artworks” were located in that part of the building. By Sunday, fire engines were still stationed outside as investigations into the fire’s origin continued.
About Somerset House
Located on the Strand in central London, Somerset House is a prominent arts venue with a rich history dating back to the Georgian era. Built on the site of a former Tudor palace, the complex is known for its iconic courtyard and is home to the Courtauld Gallery. The gallery houses a prestigious collection from the Samuel Courtauld Trust, showcasing masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Among the notable works are pieces by impressionist legends such as Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent Van Gogh.
Somerset House regularly hosts cultural exhibitions and public events, including its popular winter ice skating sessions in the courtyard. However, for now, the venue remains partially closed as authorities ensure the safety of the site following the fire.
Art lovers and the Somerset House community can take solace in knowing that the invaluable collection remains unharmed, and the Courtauld Gallery continues to welcome visitors, offering a reprieve amid the disruption.
Sudbury’s annual art and music festival is marking a significant milestone this year, celebrating its long-standing impact on the local cultural scene. The festival, which has grown from a small community event to a major celebration of creativity, brings together artists, musicians, and visitors from across the region for a weekend of vibrant performances and exhibitions.
The event features a diverse range of activities, from live music performances to art installations, workshops, and interactive exhibits that highlight both emerging and established talent. This year’s milestone celebration will also honor the festival’s history by showcasing some of the artists and performers who have contributed to its success over the years.
Organizers are excited to see how the festival has evolved, becoming a cornerstone of Sudbury’s cultural landscape. “This festival is a celebration of creativity, community, and the incredible talent we have here in Sudbury,” said one of the event’s coordinators. “It’s amazing to see how it has grown and the impact it continues to have on the arts community.”
With this year’s milestone celebration, the festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a full lineup of exciting events, workshops, and performances that will inspire and engage attendees of all ages.
The festival’s milestone is not just a reflection of its past success but a celebration of the continued vibrancy of Sudbury’s arts scene.
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