National Gallery of Canada

Until Feb. 1: 'Back to the Beginning: Rethinking Abstraction from an Aboriginal Perspective' studies the use of abstraction by aboriginal artists, as seen in the striking work of artists like Canadian Robert Davidson. Until Feb. 15: ‘Caught in the Act: The Viewer as Performer’ presents sculptural works by a group of Canadian artists that require spectator participation. Until Feb. 1: ‘Drawn Positions: Geographies and Communities’ by Canadian artists Alison Norlen, Susan Turcot, and Lucie Chan. The artists use drawing as a form of documentation, a medium for recording personal experience and interaction. Until March, 2009: The Contemporary Gallery holds ‘Living Room’, an exhibit about domestic spaces and their dwellers, with furniture as the focus. Until March 8: Organized by the National Gallery of Canada and the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles, 'Bernini and the Birth of Baroque Portrait Sculpture' is the first exhibition to follow the development of sculptural portraiture in early 17th century Rome, beginning with the groundbreaking work of one of the greatest sculptors in history, Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Until March 22: 'Steeling the Gaze: Portraits by Aboriginal Artists' is a group exhibition of representations of Canadian Aboriginals by Canadian Aboriginals, reinventing notions of Indigenous peoples. The exhibit includes images by Jeff Thomas, winner of the 2008 Karsh award. Dec. 12 to March 29: 'Lewis Wickes Hine - Social Photographer' is a collection of images by the man who photographed America through the tumultuous times of the first half of the 20th century, bringing his nation face to face with poverty and social injustice. Jan. 14 to April 24: Well-known for his landscape, still-life, and figure painting, the exhibit 'Goodridge Roberts: Drawings, Caricatures, Cartoons' allows the public to view the drawings the artist intended for family and friends. Until Spring, 2009: 'High-definition Inuit Storytelling' is an exhibition of videos by Isuma (thinking) productions and Arnait (women's) video productions. These collectives, based in Igloolik, Nunavut, produce community-based media that celebrate Inuit culture and the Inuktitut language. March through June, 2009: The gallery collaborates with the Canada Council for the Arts in a presentation of works by recipients of the Governor General's Awards in Visual and Media Arts. Gallery admission: Adults: $9; seniors and students: $7; youth (age 12-19): $4; children under 12: free; families (2 adults, 3 youth): $18. Admission varies for special exhibitions. Free admission (permanent collection only) Thursday after 5pm. Until April 30: Open Tuesday through Sunday, 10am to 5pm, Thursday to 8pm.

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