GAME/CULTURE

On view May 27 – September 3, 2022 at The Reach Gallery Museum

Mallory Tolcher, Lucas Morneau, Craig Willms, Nathalie Quagliotto

This exhibition explores the ways that sports and games have fundamentally shaped societal expectations of gender, sexuality, race, and ability. Artworks by four contemporary artists are displayed alongside photographs and objects from The Reach’s historical collections to examine how sports and games sanction certain kinds of behaviors and bodies, and in doing so condition our understanding of ourselves in relation to others.

Much of our social conditioning has encouraged the idea that sports and art are somehow worlds apart, however the similarities between these pursuits are numerous and profound.

Game/Culture investigates the connections and contradictions between contemporary art and sports. One need look no further than frequent controversies surrounding public art or the Olympics to understand that the implications of both sports and art are deeply symbolic. Both require rigorous practice, training, hard work, and drive in environments that are often very competitive. Perhaps most critically, the worlds of art and sports are both known to privilege and reward certain kinds of bodies, to the exclusion of others.

This exhibition is made possible, in part, by the generous support of our Presenting Sponsor and leading Art, Sport and Entertainment Agency, Victory Creative Group as well as preeminent cultural basketball magazine, SLAM®. These sponsors are committed to supporting progressive art and culture moments throughout Canada in hopes to creative conversation, celebrate diversity, and accelerate change. Their designers, artists, writers and illustrators continue to raise the bar for community impact through their creative endeavors and sponsorships. To learn more, visit WeAreVictory.com.

Remember that we have a host of online activities and experiences to keep you connected to art, culture, and heritage. Visit us at thereach.ca/athome.