Sarah Maloney’s Pleasure Ground showcases artworks created from 1993–2021, displaying Maloney’s development as a contemporary sculptor and textile artist who is nationally recognized for her representations of botanicals and the human body. Throughout her practice, Maloney looks at Western history and culture through a feminist lens, and the results are depictions of plants, bones, and organs that reference gender, pleasure, desire, and power. Her craft is joyful and beautiful, while simultaneously interrogating icons of Western colonialism, such as museum collections, domestic gardens, and landscape art.
About the Artist
Sarah Maloney, RCA, holds an MFA from the University of Windsor and a BFA from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design. She is the recipient of numerous grants, and has been part of group and solo shows across Canada. Her works are held in the collections of the Beaverbrook Art Gallery, the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, and the Department of Foreign Affairs, among others. In 2012, she was elected to the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts. She is a recipient of the Creative Nova Scotia Leadership Council Established Artist Recognition Award.
Opening Reception
Saturday, March 9 at 1:00-3:00pm
All are invited to a relaxed reception for MSVU Art Gallery’s spring exhibitions, Sarah Maloney’s Pleasure Ground: A Feminist Take on the Natural World and Susan Low-Beer: Specimen. MSVU Art Gallery is committed to making our events accessible to everyone. Access, location and interpretive services information can be found in the About section of our website and please contact art.gallery@msvu.ca with any access requests, service needs or inquiries.
About the Curators
Jennifer Matotek is the Executive Director of Art Windsor-Essex. She has held curatorial and administrative positions at the Dunlop Art Gallery, Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery, and the Art Gallery of Hamilton. She has curated numerous exhibitions for galleries and artist-run centres across Canada. Her work as a video artist has been shown internationally. Matotek’s writing has been published by Black Dog Publishing, Momus, YYZ Artists’ Outlet, Gallery 44, Vtape, and Magenta, among others. Jennifer Matotek holds an MA in Art History from York University and a Diploma in Curatorial Studies. She completed an MBA from the Schulich School of Business, York University.
Laura Ritchie (she/her) is an independent curator in Kjipuktuk/Halifax. Of settler descent, she hails from Menaquesk/Saint John, NB, on the traditional territory of the Wolastoqiyik/Maliseet. Laura holds a BA Art History from Mount Allison University and an MA in the same from Western University. She is a fellow of the Getty Leadership Institute’s NextGen, Executive Education for the Next Generation of Museum Leaders. Former Director of MSVU Art Gallery, Laura has worked in collections, exhibitions, and administration with such Canadian art organizations as the Beaverbrook Art Gallery, New Brunswick Crafts Council, New Brunswick Arts Board, Museum London, Tom Thomson Memorial Art Gallery, the Commonwealth Association of Museums, Art Gallery of Alberta, and Kelowna Art Gallery. In 2022, Laura served as the Atlantic region Juror for the Sobey Art Award.
Installation view of Sarah Maloney’s Pleasure Ground: A Feminist Take on the Natural World, 2023. Image courtesy of Art Windsor-Essex, photo by Frank Piccolo.
Installation view of Sarah Maloney’s Pleasure Ground: A Feminist Take on the Natural World, 2023. Image courtesy of Art Windsor-Essex, photo by Frank Piccolo.
Installation view of Sarah Maloney’s Pleasure Ground: A Feminist Take on the Natural World, 2023. Image courtesy of Art Windsor-Essex, photo by Frank Piccolo.
Installation view of Sarah Maloney’s Pleasure Ground: A Feminist Take on the Natural World, 2023. Image courtesy of Art Windsor-Essex, photo by Frank Piccolo.
