Gems from the Macdonald Stewart Art Centre Collection

In spring of last year, the MSAC unveiled, for the first time publicly, its Contemporary Canadian Silver Collection, which is the only one of its kind at a public art gallery in Canada. Due to the extraordinary response of visitors to the gallery, the MSAC has created a special installation selected from the works in silver. The installation, located on the second floor landing, features two works by Guelph artist Lois Betteridge, matriarch of silversmithing in Canada, and two works by Toronto artist Anne Barros, who studied with Betteridge and has been practising metal arts since 1978.

The works by Lois Betteridge include Coffee for Four Friends (1989) and Brandy Snifter (1983) which is made from sterling silver, antler, and labradorite. In recognition of her career accomplishments, Betteridge will receive the 2010 Lifetime Achievement Award from The Society of North American Goldsmiths in March of this year.

Anne Barros specializes in flatware, designing unique place settings and special occasion spoons. On view is Three Rat Tailed Spoons (1998), which is an excellent example of Barros’ skilful manipulation of silverware into ritualized, sculptural objects. Barros has also infused within this piece a sense of charm and light-heartedness. The second work by Barros is titled Broadband (2001), which is a teapot made from sterling silver, acrylic, LED lights, and fibre optics. Broadband was a special commission for the MSAC collection.

Image:
Lois Betteridge, Coffee for Four Friends, 1989 (sterling silver and plexiglass), Purchased with support from the Canada Council for the Arts Acquisition Assistance Program, 2001, Macdonald Stewart Art Centre Collection