Media Release
Friday, November 15, 2024 (Vancouver, BC) — Artists for Kids announced today that esteemed artist Ian Wallace has been awarded the Order of the Owl, recognizing his significant contributions to contemporary art and his transformative impact on the Canadian cultural landscape. This prestigious accolade celebrates individuals who exemplify a commitment to artistic excellence and innovation, demonstrating a lifelong dedication to expanding and enriching the arts.
With a career spanning over five decades, Ian Wallace’s work bridges painting, photography, and installation, pioneering new ways to engage with concepts of modernity, urban landscapes, and the critical intersections between image and text. Wallace’s groundbreaking contributions have profoundly shaped the Vancouver art scene and have resonated internationally, influencing generations of artists and thinkers. His commitment to both his own practice and to the wider arts community is underscored by his mentorship of emerging artists and his dedicated work as a board member for the Artists for Kids’ Management Committee and the Gordon and Marion Smith Foundation for Young Artists, which supports the Gordon Smith Gallery of Canadian Art.
“Ian Wallace’s commitment to the Arts has been unparalleled. Ian has been a touch point that we all have leaned on, again and again, to support our collective work supporting Art Education that profoundly fosters connection within our community.” commented Allison Kerr, Director of Artists for Kids and the Gordon Smith Gallery. “His dedication to artistic inquiry and his expansive body of work exemplify the vision that this award, the Order of the Owl, represents. We are thrilled to celebrate his achievements and the legacy he continues to build.”
The Order of the Owl ceremony took place on November 14 at the Gordon Smith Gallery, where Wallace was honoured in the presence of peers, admirers, and key members of the Canadian arts community. This recognition not only celebrates his lifelong achievements but also underscores the vital role of contemporary artists in shaping dialogues across social, cultural, and political spheres.
To schedule a media interview or request hi-res images please contact:
Allison Kerr, akerr@sd44.ca, 604-903-3798
Ian Wallace wearing the prestigious Order of the Owl medallion in front of Jack Shadbolt’s Birds in the Thicket II-IV.
Photo by Khim Mata Hipol
About the Order of the Owl:
The Order of the Owl is awarded to individuals who demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to advancing the arts and culture in Canada. The award celebrates visionary leaders whose life and work exemplify the transformative power of the arts, inspiring and enriching communities across the country.
About Artists for Kids:
In partnership with more than 100 of Canada's most prominent artists, Artists for Kids brings together educators and the community at large, to provide inspiring, highly relevant educational experiences and enrichment, for thousands of young people annually, while encouraging students to pursue and share their own artistic voice and narrative. Through the Gordon Smith Gallery of Canadian Art, established as Canada's first public art gallery for young audiences, Artists for Kids has created a space for young audiences and our community to experience the narrative of Canadian Art through a significant collection of visual art. As a visual arts catalyst in the community, Artists for Kids is proud to contribute to the development of a rich cultural aesthetic.
About Gordon Smith Gallery of Canadian Art:
The Gordon Smith Gallery of Canadian Art opened its doors in 2012 to provide art enrichment opportunities for children and to ignite community engagement through exceptional Canadian Art curation and education. Throughout his career, Gordon Smith believed in the value of supporting art education for youth. Smith's work and dedication over the past half century has influenced the progression of Canadian art and helped to shape the lives of thousand of young artists. The Gordon Smith Gallery is situated within the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ilwətaɁɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) nations on Lonsdale Avenue in North Vancouver.
