Burnaby Art Gallery is pleased to present Trophies, an exhibition by Vancouver-based artist Myfanwy MacLeod that draws from the gallery’s history as a former fraternity house.
In 1965, 21 young men lived in the house now known as the Burnaby Art Gallery with the purpose of establishing SFU’s first fraternity, Delta Upsilon. They left behind traces and myths. Examining the connections between ancient Greek rites and sculpture and fraternity culture’s visual and performative codes, MacLeod explores frat life’s hypermasculine, ritualistic and exclusionary behaviours through both classical and contemporary portrayals. The exhibition also proposes alternative rituals and forms of relation.
Leaning into the idea of the “trophy” as a marker of achievement, the works offer nuanced interpretations of success, failure and recognition. Using various forms of humour to challenge assumptions about gender and value, she brings a feminist critique to notions of mastery and power.
Trophies opens with a public reception on June 11 from 6 to 9 pm, featuring a special performance by the neo-psychedelic musical duo Malcy, and then runs from June 12 until August 30.
An artist book created for this exhibition contains essays by fellow artist Kathleen Ritter and exhibition curator Jennifer Cane. The book is $25. A limited-edition tote bag is also available.
About the Artist
Of Welsh and Scottish descent, Myfanwy MacLeod (b. 1961) lives and works in Vancouver. Her artistic practice has resulted in a substantial body of nationally and internationally recognized work, which is held in the collections of the National Gallery of Canada, Vancouver Art Gallery, City of Burnaby Permanent Art Collection and numerous private collections. Her work in public art is significant, with works in Burnaby such as Cordials (2018) and Cosmos: I am as Constant as the Northern Star (2022), both in the Metrotown neighbourhood, and monumental works such as The Birds (2010, Vancouver), Primrose (2019, Toronto) and The Song of the Dodo (2023, Montreal). Known for works that examine public and private spaces and their relationship to gender, class and the marginalised, MacLeod rethinks hierarchies and intersections between "high" and "low" art forms.
Programs
- Opening reception: Thursday, June 11, 6-9 pm
- In the BAG: Sunday, June 28, 1-4 pm (free drop-in family-friendly hands-on activity)
- Noon Hour Tours with the Curator: Thursday, July 16 at noon; Thursday, August 27 at noon (free drop-in)
Download images here
Since 1967, the Burnaby Art Gallery has collected, preserved and presented visual art by local, national and internationally recognized artists. As Canada’s only public art museum dedicated to works on paper, it represents a variety of techniques and practices from artists of diverse backgrounds. The gallery manages over 7,100 works in the City of Burnaby Permanent Art Collection as well as the City’s Public Art Collection.
Learn more: burnabyartgallery.ca