How many Canadian visual artists can you name off the top of your head (not counting the Group of Seven or Emily Carr)? If it’s less than five, you have some serious work to do, girl.

And, you can start at The Canadian Art Gala and Auction, happening on September 22nd, which features fifty works by Canada’s leading and emerging contemporary artists. This is one of Canada’s largest annual live and silent auctions and includes a cocktail dinner and a special interactive ballet performance choreographed by NYC-based artist Brendan Fernandes. 

As somebody who has been out of touch with the Canadian art scene for a few years, I was stoked to receive an invite for a personal tour to preview the works by curator and co-chair of the advisory committee, Stefan Hacherow, and selection committee member, Bill Clarke.

Here are some of the pieces that took my breath away:

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Jennifer Murphy
Rabbit, 2015

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Mathieu Beauséjour
Flares, 2013

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Richard Ibghy & Marilou Lemmens
Patents Granted by the USA (1900 – 2000), 2016

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Karen Tam
Pierced Pizza Pan with Pierced Bamboo and Birds, 2016

(PS. That’s an aluminum plate!!!)

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Celia Perrin Sidarous
Folding fan, hands, Venus, geode and hairstyle, 2015

My very favourite piece in the auction would have to be a drawing by Michael Snow (not pictured) who is being honoured at the event. If you’ve seen Wavelength, you may have an idea of just how special and iconic this piece is. If you haven’t – get to it – it’s basically the #boss of Canadian avant-garde cinema and you can dig up a version on YouTube.

Whether you’re looking to grow your budding art collection or learn about the incredible art that’s being produced across our vast nation, The Canadian Art Gala is a beautiful way to spend an evening. 

You can find a full list of artists and artworks in the auction, as well as purchase tickets, here.