DIANA THORNEYCROFT at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection (10365 Islington, Kleinburg), to November 29. $15, stu/srs $12. 905-893-1121. Rating: NNNN
Who knew the McMichael had a sense of humour? First the gallery allowed Kent Monkman to film The Group Of Seven Inches there now it’s showing Diana Thorneycroft’s Group Of Seven Awkward Moments.
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Her photos of dioramas made with plastic toys posed in front of the Group’s iconic paintings (some of which are displayed alongside) naughtily lampoon our concepts of high- and lowbrow Canadiana.
Thorneycroft started her career taking photos of figures in bondage gear and dead animals but has, thankfully, moved on to mix the comic with the macabre, conjuring the spirit of children’s violent fantasy play with cartoon characters, action figures and dolls.
After crucifying a plastic Gretzky and Celine for her recent Canadiana Martyrdom series, she’s envisioned scenes of toyland mayhem, populating the Group’s wild, lonely landscapes with Tom Thomson, Bob and Doug McKenzie, the Trailer Park Boys, Mounties, Grey Owl, hockey players, beavers and bears.
Many figures merrily ignore impending peril as igloos burn, hockey players fall through the ice and tornados menace. I’m fond of the Awkward Moment when bloodied kids freeze their tongues to a flagpole as an oblivious Mountie skis by, and I sympathize with the bears who hold the Disneyfied Winnie the Pooh at gunpoint.
You might have to read the written material to get the jokes about the three theories concerning Thomson’s mysterious death in Algonquin Park, or why Snow White totes a copy of The Last Spike along with her whip and handcuffs. (Remember Pierre Berton’s quip that a Canadian is someone who can make love in a canoe?)
It may not be high conceptual art, but, like the film One Week, it’s accessible, entertaining work made by and for Canadians.
art@nowtoronto.com
