Artists were invited to submit artwork interpreting the theme Triumph. For millennia, victories have long been explored in the realms of human triumphs over beasts, humans over their environment, and most commonly human triumphs over other humans. Ancient Greece’s glorious Winged Victory of Samothrace celebrating victory in a key naval battle comes to mind.
Victories in art, however, have slowly changed over time to represent themes of conquest (like in The Winged Victory) less and less.
The triumphant can celebrate knowledge and capture the ingenuity of the human spirit, like in Rembrandt’s The Anatomy Lesson. It can depict social progress, like Rosie the Riveter, a symbol of feminism, female strength and economic power. Emily Carr’s iconic late period depicting the power of British Columbia’s wilderness to many represents the eventual and everlasting triumph of nature.
In a fast-changing and perilous 21st century, this exhibition seeks to take the triumphant to inspire hope.
The Lake Country Art Gallery will be hosting a reception for Triumph Wednesday March 9th at 6pm. Refreshments will be served. This event is free and open to the public.
On Wednesday March 16th at 6pm, guest curator Peter Green will be presenting an art history lecture on depictions the triumphant throughout art history. The lecture will offer in depth analyses on highlight triumphant artworks from Ancient Greece, all the way through the present.
Opening March 9th, Triumph will be on display at the Lake Country Art Gallery through to April 9th. Admission to the Lake Country Art Gallery is free.