Celebrating 150 years of the Winnipeg Free Press with Headlines: The Art of the News Cycle 

WAG-Qaumajuq launches new exhibition exploring the news and how we consume it

Winnipeg, Manitoba, November 28, 2022: The Winnipeg Art Gallery (WAG)-Qaumajuq is thrilled to celebrate a major milestone of a beloved Manitoban institution. For 150 years, the Winnipeg Free Press has remained a staunchly independent news source and now, in celebration of this historic anniversary, Headlines: The Art of the News Cycle explores the news and how we consume it. 

The exhibition draws on the critical work of artists, which include artworks made from the news and newsprint, as well as works that explore headlines, comics, editorials, obituaries and, of course, fake news. As news media has an ever-increasing impact on the way that communities talk about the world, the lines between the media, the community, and the individual are becoming blurred. Headlines will further contextualize the art on display with exhibition design that includes a “newsroom” activities area and interactive programming. The exhibition features work by Pierre Ayot, Myriam Dion, Stan Douglas, Dianna Frid, Ron Gorsline, Laurent Roberge, Miriam Rudolph, and Ron Terada.  

The public is invited to join us at a special opening celebration of Headlines: The Art of the News Cycle at 7:00pm on Friday, December 2, 2022. Doors open at 6:00pm. The event will feature remarks from Paul Samyn, Editor of the Winnipeg Free Press; Dr. Stephen Borys, Director & CEO; and the exhibition curator Dr. Riva Symko, Head of Collections & Exhibitions and Curator of Canadian Art. For the remainder of the evening, guests are invited to enjoy the music of DJ M.C. LUV and the cash bar, pick up a copy of the exhibition catalogue, and explore the exhibition! Admission is FREE. 

Quick Facts: 

• The Winnipeg Free Press, founded in 1872, is celebrating 150 years of news, journalism, and community reporting. 
• Artists featured in Headlines: The Art of the News Cycles include Pierre Ayot, Myriam Dion, Stan Douglas, Dianna Frid, Ron Gorsline, Laurent Roberge, Miriam Rudolph, and Ron Terada. 
• The exhibition features a specially commissioned series of work by local printmaker Miriam Rudolph, titled Storied Land: (Re)Mapping Winnipeg, in which the artist used Free Press news stories dating as far back as 1872 and reconfigured them to form a new narrative. 
• Visitors are invited to go deeper into the content of the exhibition with a selection of in-gallery iPad stations with further reading, visitor polls, and other interactive content. 
• Headlines: The Art of the News Cycle is accompanied by a WAG-Qaumajuq publication featuring essays and art exploring the form and role of the news.  
• The public is invited to join us at a special opening celebration of Headlines: The Art of the News Cycle at 7:00pm on Friday, December 2, 2022. Doors open at 6:00pm. Admission is FREE. 

Quotes: 

“The newsroom and the art gallery may feel worlds apart, though we are both engaged in understanding ourselves and the world around us, sharing new perspectives, and bringing the community together around what matters. We’re thrilled to celebrate this landmark year with the Winnipeg Free Press – the works included here are gorgeous, thoughtful explorations of the ideas found at the confluence of art and news.” 

— Dr. Stephen Borys, Director & CEO, WAG-Qaumajuq 

“Since the beginning of the 20th century artists have turned to newspapers, news magazines, and television news shows as rich sources of inspiration! The eight contemporary artists included in Headlines have all used the news media as visual imagery to unsettle our common assumptions (and consumptions) of the everyday news cycle through painting, video, collage, embroidery, and printmaking.” 

— Dr. Riva Symko, Head of Collections & Exhibitions and Curator of Canadian Art, WAG-Qaumajuq 

“The Free Press is honored the story of our newspaper that began 150 years ago is being told and celebrated at the Winnipeg Art Gallery. Over the years, we’ve had many front-page stories about WAG-Qaumajuq, and I’m excited we are the ones now making headlines at the gallery, the ones in their curatorial hands for an exhibit that is timely not only because of our anniversary, but also because of the state of the news media.” 

— Paul Samyn, Editor, Winnipeg Free Press 

Support

WAG-Qaumajuq thanks Supporting Sponsors Power Corporation of Canada and Pollard Family Foundation.
 

Associated Links  

Headlines: The Art of the News Cycle
Headlines: The Art of the News Cycle Opening Celebration
Winnipeg Free Press
 

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For more information or to arrange interviews, please contact:  

Hanna Waswa
Public Relations Officer
Winnipeg Art Gallery
204.789.1295
hwaswa@wag.ca
 

The Winnipeg Art Gallery (WAG)-Qaumajuq is a cultural advocate using art to connect, inspire, and inform. Playing a dynamic role in the community, we are a place for learning, dialogue, and enjoyment through art. Opened in March 2021, Qaumajuq connects to the WAG on all levels, celebrating the largest public collection of contemporary Inuit art in the world. The new WAG-Qaumajuq cultural campus is now one of the largest art museums in Canada. To learn more visit wag.ca. 

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