Sculpture in Canada: A History

Art historian Tippett (Emily Carr: A Biography, winner of a 1979 Canadian Governor-General’s Award) provides an enlightening survey of sculpture in Canada, from prehistoric times to the present. She begins by examining ancient carvings, such as a miniature mask made by an unknown pre-Inuit artist around 1500 BCE, as art objects rather than simply as artifacts. Moving forward into Canadian history, she highlights commemorative sculptures of Canadian involvement in war efforts (including Walter Allward’s iconic memorial at Vimy Ridge), sculptures designed for Montreal’s Expo 67 and Canada’s centennial, postmodernist art, and 21st-century multimedia projects. The book explores the historical circumstances under which sculpture has been created, such as the demand for Inuit sculpture that grew in the 1950s and its effects on the art and artists. It also assesses the reception of sculpture by galleries, critics, and the wider public, including the uproar over Jana Sterbak’s 1987 work Vanitas, a “flesh dress” made of raw flank steak. Tippett considers the influence of the church, governments, and special interest groups on the work of sculptors, noting that the size and expense of large sculptures means that they may be more affected by cultural, economic, and political forces than other mediums such as drawing or painting. Beautifully illustrated with large color photos throughout, this is an insightful book written in an accessible style suitable for casual readers as well as art lovers. (May)