Ron Benner
dal 7/7/2010 al 3/9/2010
Segnalato da
7/7/2010
Ron Benner
Foreman Art Gallery of Bishop's University, Sherbrooke
The artist's project '/10' addresses notions of monoculture and industrial agriculture. The artist aims to acknowledge the role played by the First Nations in the domestication of plants that are being eaten all around the world.
Curated by Vicky Chainey Gagnon & Geneviève Chevalier
Abandoning the more linear structure of an exhibition within the gallery’s walls, /10 by
London Ontario artist Ron Benner will address notions of monoculture and industrial
agriculture. The artist aims to acknowledge the role played by the First Nations in the
domestication of plants that are being eaten all around the world. Being ancient Abenaki
land and having a strong agricultural and farming tradition, this project will find a home in
this region and will incite interest in the surrounding community.
The garden will be taking
residence this summer on the lawn in front of McGreer. Composed of three distinct sections,
the garden will include a long single row of corn field, a larger round section where open
pollinated varieties of corn will be planted along with great diversities of flowers from the
Americas and a third section will be composed mostly of flowers. There will also be
photographs throughout the garden taken by Benner himself.
Growing Histories, the exhibition in the gallery, will feature work by the artist and a living
topiary garden by one of the exhibition curators Geneviève Chevalier. Alongside an extended
interview with the artist, the public will be invited to hang documentation from their own
garden projects. Both the gallery and garden project seek to inscribe themselves into a
larger discourse on how local identities and cultures are important.
Ron Benner studied agricultural engineering for one year at the University of Guelph (1969-
70) and began to work as an artist in London, Ontario in 1970. From 1971 to 1979, he worked
as a brakeman and conductor on the Norfolk and Western (Wabash) Railway, and was a
member of the United Transportation Union. In 1973 he began to travel frequently in Mexico,
Central & South America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Since then, he has remained at
the heart of many arts and agricultural organizations.
Guided Tours :
The Foreman Art Gallery will be holding guided tours Tuesdays and Thursdays starting at 2:00pm. No
reservations required; please meet in front of the gallery.
For groups over 12 individuals, please email: jardin-garden@ubishops.ca
For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact:
Vicky Chainey Gagnon, Curator or Geneviève Chevalier, Co-curator at 819.822.9600 ext. 2687 or
vicky.chaineygagnon@ubishops.ca, genevieve.chevalier@ubishops.ca
Opening July 8, 2010
Bishop's University
2600 College St. Sherbrooke (Quebec)
Gallery Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, from 12 noon to 5:00 pm
free admission