Transformation: Saidye Bronfman Award 1977-1996

January 23 to April 13, 1997

Since the dawn of history, man has brought decorative elements to everyday objects by incising geometric motifs on pottery, adding feathers, coloured stones and seashells to clothing, or carving decorative elements on harpoon heads. This quest for beauty, a universal quality that affects both the eye and the spirit, is a constant that spans time and civilizations.

Crafts like weaving, pottery and metal- and wood-working have been handed down, from generation to generation, and the work of the artists who truly master them stands out for its refinement, elegance and originality. Royal courts and fortune's favourites vied to surpass each other in opulence: ornate silver candelabras, sumptuous tapestries, furniture constructed of rare woods and porcelain decorated with bronze enhanced the glory of the powerful. A reflection of the art of gracious living, beautiful objects bring their owner endlessly renewable delight, like that of the bibliophile whose hand lingers in the touch of an exquisite binding, or a woman wearing a stunning brooch, unlike any other in the world.

The craftsman's technical mastery, the result of many long hours of practice, and his or her creativity, have always been admired. In Japan, the best craftsmen are conferred the status of "living treasures". Craftsmen respect and nurture the centuries-old traditions they inherit, while nonetheless expressing their own era through them. It is to these artists, who work far from the eye of the public, that the Samuel and Saidye Bronfman Family Foundation sought to pay tribute by creating the Saidye Bronfman Award in 1977 to recognize the outstanding work of those who have made an important contribution to the advancement of fine crafts in Canada.

In celebration of the twentieth anniversary of this award for excellence in fine crafts, the Canadian Museum of Civilization organized and circulated the exhibition Transformation: Saidye Bronfman Award 1977-1996 , sponsored by Seagram Limited. From January 23 to April 13, 1997, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts hosted this exhibition, which features over seventy works created by some of the Canada's finest master craftsmen, all winners of the Saidye Bronfman Award.

Transformation highlighted the works of artists who have received the Award over the past decade: textile artists Carol Sabiston, Dorothy Caldwell and Susan Warner Keene; glass artists Lutz Haufchild and Daniel Crichton; potter Harlan House; furniture designer and maker Michael C. Fortune; bookbinder Louise Genest; and ceramicist Steven Heinemann, the 1996 recipient of the Award. Some works by the first ten winners of the Saidye Bronfman Award were also presented among them, and exclusively in Montreal a tapestry entitled Homage to the Saint Lawrence River by Micheline Beauchemin. This superb exhibition of blown glass objects, furniture, bookbindings, gold and silver jewellery, stained glass, textile work, porcelain and ceramics showcased the innovative talent and creativity of these leading Canadian artisans.

The majority of the works in the exhibition came from the collection of the Canadian Museum of Civilization; the others were from various private and public collections.

Benaiah Gibb Pavilion, January 23 to April 13, 1997

The exhibition was organized by Alan C. Elder, Curator at the Canadian Museum of Civilization. Mayo Graham, Chief Curator of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, was in charge of the presentation of the exhibition in Montreal. The exhibition was shown in Toronto, Winnipeg, Victoria and Halifax after Montreal.

The exhibition Transformation was presented through the support of Seagram Limited. This magnificent exhibition of Canadian craftsmanship travelled to other cities across the country in order to give a broad segment of the population the chance to appreciate the talent of these outstanding artists.

Seagram is known around the world for its activities in two major sectors, beverages and entertainment/communications. The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts is pleased to have Seagram among the partners that enable the presentation of such varied and dynamic programming.