The Beaverbrook Art Gallery to reopen with the stunning exhibition Riopelle: The Call of Northern Landscapes and Indigenous Cultures

(Fredericton, New Brunswick, March 7, 2022) – The Beaverbrook Art Gallery announces its reopening with the feature exhibition Riopelle: The Call of Northern Landscapes and Indigenous Cultures presenting the art of Jean Paul Riopelle (1923-2002), a towering figure in Canadian, Quebec, and International modern art. All are invited to visit the Gallery for free on Saturday, April 2^nd from 12 to 5 PM, with an opening reception taking place at 4 PM.

After being closed for two years due to COVID-19 and various construction projects, the Beaverbrook Art Gallery is excited to present this powerful exhibition. “We’re looking forward very much to opening the doors to the Beaverbrook Art Gallery once again,” says Beaverbrook Art Gallery Director, Tom Smart. “This major travelling exhibition from the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA) is a first for Fredericton and for the Beaverbrook Art Gallery, which holds several examples of the artist’s work in the permanent collection.”

Featuring over 180 paintings, drawings, prints, ceremonial objects and archival documents, Riopelle: The Call of Northern Landscapes and Indigenous Cultures explores Riopelle’s interest in North American Indigenous cultures as sources and inspirations for his own art.

“This large-scale exhibition sheds light on the creative influences that nourished Riopelle’s interest in North American Indigenous communities. Following presentations in Montreal and Whistler, it is coming to the Beaverbrook Art Gallery, where, to the delight of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, the Fredericton public will have an opportunity to discover this little-known aspect of the work of one of Canada’s greatest artists,” shares Mary-Dailey Desmarais, Chief Curator of the MMFA.

John Leroux, the Beaverbrook Manager of Collections and Exhibitions states: “We are so fortunate to be able to share these monumental works of art by a Canadian cultural icon alongside the powerful Indigenous works that inspired and expanded his breadth of view. The pairing of items alongside one another is an inspiring instance of cross-cultural development and understanding in Canadian art.” 

While construction on the Harrison McCain Pavilion continues, the Beaverbrook Art Gallery will be partially open to the public during its summer hours after April 2^nd. Select galleries will be closed throughout the spring due to the ongoing construction project. Stay tuned for announcements on the grand opening of the Harrison McCain Pavilion.

A special members-only preview of Riopelle: The Call of Northern Landscapes and Indigenous Cultures will take place on Friday, April 1, 2022 at 4:30 PM for those who have an active Beaverbrook Art Gallery membership. Limited spots are also available for members during this preview who want a tour with Curator Jacques Des Rochers, which will begin at 4:00 PM. Tickets for this members-only event can be purchased here.

Memberships can be purchased by visiting our website by clicking here.

The full list of our exhibition and programming offerings, including tours and lectures, for the month of April can be found on our website.

Riopelle: The Call of Northern Landscapes and Indigenous Cultures is an exhibition developed, organized and circulated by the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.

The exhibition was curated by guest curators Andréanne Roy and Yseult Riopelle as well as by Jacques Des Rochers, Curator of Quebec and Canadian Art (before 1945), MMFA.

Exhibition presented at the Beaverbrook Art Gallery through the generosity of Elizabeth A. and Richard J. Currie, O.C., O.N.B., C.B.H.F.

The Beaverbrook Art Gallery enriches life through art