The Vancouver Art Gallery has taken significant steps toward enriching its already impressive collection, with 349 recent acquisitions added through purchases and donations in 2023 and 2024. These new works, which include contributions from both local and international artists, will soon be showcased in the gallery’s planned new downtown building. This move aligns with the gallery’s mission to diversify its collection and provide a platform for art that spans cultures, geographies, and disciplines.
Expanding the Collection
Among the recent additions are notable works such as a charcoal installation by New York–based artist Teresita Fernández, a suite of seventeen masks by Kwakwaka’wakw carver Beau Dick, and a monumental text-based installation by Vancouver artist Ron Terada. These acquisitions add depth to the gallery’s current holdings of over 13,000 works and exemplify its ongoing dedication to showcasing contemporary art that reflects a variety of cultural narratives.
“The depth and diversity of these new acquisitions enhance the collection and represent an exciting step forward for the Vancouver Art Gallery,” says Anthony Kiendl, CEO & Executive Director of the Vancouver Art Gallery. Kiendl emphasized that these acquisitions help tell the stories of art from British Columbia and beyond, made possible through the generosity of donors from around the world.
Highlights of the New Acquisitions
1. Beau Dick’s Undersea Kingdom
A significant part of the new collection is the last work made by Beau Dick (1955–2017), a Kwakwaka’wakw carver and activist. His piece, Undersea Kingdom (2016–17), was presented to critical acclaim at documenta 14 in 2017. It features some of the most imaginative and compelling masks Dick ever created and is regarded as a cornerstone of the new collection.
2. Teresita Fernández’s Island Universe 2
Another highlight is Island Universe 2 (2023), a panoramic installation by Teresita Fernández that represents a borderless, united landmass made from sculpted charcoal. Fernández’s work is celebrated for addressing themes of colonialism, land, migration, and power, making it a key acquisition in the gallery’s international collection.
3. Geoffrey Farmer’s Fountain Installation
Vancouver-based artist Geoffrey Farmer’s Fountain (2017–21) is another pivotal addition to the gallery. Originally showcased at the Venice Biennale in 2017, the installation includes multiple functional water elements and sculptures, which created an immersive environment in its original display. Farmer’s work will be featured in the public spaces of the gallery’s new building.
4. Ron Terada’s TL; DR (Too Long; Didn’t Read)
Terada’s large-scale text-based installation, TL; DR (2020–22), reflects the overwhelming deluge of digital media headlines. Consisting of 325 paintings, this work encapsulates fleeting internet news moments and underscores the tension between fleeting attention and digital overload.
5. Gabrielle L’Hirondelle Hill, Paul Wong, and Caroline Monnet
Other notable acquisitions include Gabrielle L’Hirondelle Hill’s Echoes from a Near Future (2022), Paul Wong’s Chinese Cafes—The Five Energies (1997), and Caroline Monnet’s large-scale color photograph that draws from Indigenous design. These works reinforce the gallery’s commitment to showcasing diverse contemporary narratives.
Preparing for the Future
With a new building in the heart of Vancouver on the horizon, the Vancouver Art Gallery will be able to display a more extensive portion of its collection, offering visitors the opportunity to engage with a wider array of artworks from British Columbia, Canada, and beyond. The gallery’s curators are working diligently to build a collection that not only reflects its mission but also meets the needs of a growing audience. The expanded space will include dedicated floors for the permanent collection, allowing for a fuller representation of the gallery’s diverse acquisitions.
“The new building will allow for more space and opportunity to showcase the remarkable works we’ve acquired over the years,” says Eva Respini, Deputy Director & Director of Curatorial Programs. “We look forward to offering an immersive experience that delves into the vast range of local, national, and international works we have collected.”
Vancouver Art Gallery
750 Hornby Street
Vancouver BC V6Z 2H7
Canada
