Victoria Express

The Asian Collection, at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria

Just across the Straits of Juan de Fuca exists one of the finest collections of Asian Art in all of Canada. Anyone interested in experiencing the timeless beauty of Asian Art should hop aboard the ferry to Victoria and head to The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, at 1040 Moss Street, close to the passenger ferry dock. AGGV will present a show about the origin of its Asian Art Collection with Vision Into Reality: The Asian Collection Begins. The show runs Friday, August 21st, 2009 – Sunday, September 13th, 2009.

The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria’s Asian Collection has grown to one of the most important collections of Asian Art in Canada. Yet at its inception, the idea of showcasing art from Asia was groundbreaking. It was Colin Graham, the Founding Director of the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, who had the vision to bring Asian pieces into the museum. In fact, two Japanese woodblock prints by Utamaro (1753-1806) were among the first pieces in the museum, donated in 1950 by early benefactor Miss Katherine McEwen. Two other important benefactors, Miss Kathleen Agnew and Mrs. Massy Goolden, liked the idea of including Asian pieces in their new gallery in Victoria, and generously supplied funds to purchase early Chinese ceramics and bronzes, as well as Japanese lacquerware.

It was in the summer of 1960 that the collection got its first major boost. Colin Graham persuaded Mrs. Isabel Pollard of San Francisco to begin collecting Asian art for the Gallery. Working with Bunzo Nakanishi, an astute Japanese antique dealer, and the well-known Japanese scholar, Dr. Toru Mori, she built an extraordinary collection of nearly 1,000 works, mostly Japanese. Over a decade later in the 1970s, Graham emerged from retirement and encouraged the esteemed collectors Mr. and Mrs. R.W. Finalyson & Family of Toronto and Brian S. McElney of Hong Kong to add pieces to the Gallery. Their support of the Gallery is ongoing.

Hats off to Colin Graham for his vision and dedication; thanks to him and to the above mentioned contributors, the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria now has a world renowned Asian art collection. Isn’t it time you rode the ferry between Port Angeles and Victoria and viewed it yourself?

The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria is open Monday-Saturday 10:00am-5:00pm Thursday 10:00am-9:00pm Sunday 12:00pm-5:00pm (Closed Mondays from Sept. 14-May 18, 2010). The cost is $12 for adults, $2 for children under 5, $10 for seniors and $10 for students. The cost for a family is $26, and of course the gallery is free for members.

Travel between the United States and Canada now requires a passport or enhanced driver’s license.

This event is for Everyone

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