Bringing Home the Bacon: An Exhibition of Art and Labour in Manitoba

Posted April 6th, 2009

aceartinc., 290 McDermot Avenue

The University of Winnipeg’s Art History Student’s Association is currently organizing its third annual art exhibition, Bringing Home the Bacon. This year, our theme addresses the relationship between art and labour in Manitoba to commemorate the 90th Anniversary of the Winnipeg General Strike. Working in collaboration with local emerging and established artists, the exhibition’s contemporary curatorial approach is structured to highlight the importance of past labour struggles and their influence on present-day artistic practice.

Bringing Home the Bacon includes artwork by Steve Gouthro, Petra Reynolds, Crys Cole, Robert Kell, Paul Butler, Patrick Dunford, Barb Hunt, Cherie Moses, Colleen Finlayson, Noam Gonick, Rick Fisher, and Don Rice. Featuring painting, mixed-media collage, video, and sound installation, the works in this exhibition provide unique insights into the development of labour practices within Manitoba.

During the course of the exhibition, a panel discussion will be held at aceartinc., in which a number of local artists, scholars, writers, and politicians will speak to the significance of labour in Manitoba. This discussion is aimed to identify the significance of Bringing Home the Bacon in relation to the historical events of the 1919 General Strike, the development of labour laws and workers unions, the state of Manitoba’s current economic climate, and the role of Canada’s Contemporary arts community within this socio-economic context. Confirmation of the event’s date and the names of panel discussion speakers are pending.

Members of the AHSA are organizing this exhibition in order to participate in and contribute to the commemorative event of the Winnipeg General Strike. We consider it of the utmost importance that the views and opinions of Manitoba artists in relation to various labour issues are expressed. We hope you will join us in our celebration of this event.

For more information, Email: uwahsa@gmail.com