New Art Gallery of Algoma exhibition features an homage to the Group of Seven

Jon Sasaki: Homage features large scale photographs of petri dishes growing cultures taken from the Group of Seven's tools and palettes, as a tribute to their work.

The art of the Group of Seven and Tom Thomson will also be appearing in the gallery along side this exhibition.

The artist, Jon Sasaki will be attending a Meet the Artist event at the gallery on Friday, April 29.

For more information, please see the press release included below.

The Art Gallery of Algoma is proud to present the exhibition Jon Sasaki: Homage organized and toured by the McMichael Canadian Art Collection.

This exhibition consists of large-scale photographs depicting petri dishes blooming with microbial cultures derived from the palettes and studio tools used by members of the Group of Seven and Tom Thomson; historic objects held in the archives of the McMichael Canadian Art Collection.

Homage is an example of how a contemporary Canadian artist chose to pay tribute to the iconic Group of Seven, artists who are considered founders of Canadian art.

Sasaki started his art career as a painter inspired by the Group of Seven and in this body of work he continues his engagement through an intervention with these studio objects, examining both his relationship to these iconic artists and contemporary ideas around nature.

Accompanying this exhibition, the AGA is presenting a selection of artwork by the Group of Seven and their contemporaries as well as artists who have found inspiration in their work over the years. Algoma, being one of the favourite painting spots for the Group, remains a place of contemplation, inspiration, and creativity for many artists to this day. The AGA continues to celebrate and treasure the Group of Seven but also artists such as Jon Sasaki who are finding inspiration in their work.

The exhibition is accompanied by a publication available through the Gallery Shop. This catalogue includes high-resolution images of all eight petri dishes (seven members of the Group and Tom Thomson) and photography of the archival items (palettes, boxes, brushes), as well as essays by McMichael Chief Curator Sarah Milroy, Artist Jon Sasaki, and McMichael Conservator Alison Douglas, who provides a scientific outlook on this unique project.

Members Preview, an in-person event, will be held on Thursday, April 28, 2022, at 7 p.m. Artist Jon Sasaki will be in attendance. On Friday, April 29, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. will be Meet the Artist event open to the public.

Event is available with gallery admission. For all inquiries, please contact Jasmina Jovanovic, Executive Director, Art Gallery of Algoma, at [email protected] or at 705-297-3769.