A Need For Change
The previous statue of Riel located on this same site for twenty-three years, conceived by Marcien Lemay and Étienne Gaboury, had provoked a certain controversy amongst the Métis people of the province. The Métis people did not feel that this first version appropriately depicted, nor did it respect the importance of Riel’s historical role. They wanted Riel to be commemorated in the same fashion as any other political figure.
Joyal chose to dress the subject in attire that corresponds with the photographs of Riel. The artist added the moccasins, the sash, as well as the Manitoba Act in order to shed light on Riel’s ethnic background and his role in the community. The sculpture’s physical position was designed to convey power and leadership.
The emplacement of this statue on government grounds qualifies it as public art. The new sculpture along with the historical commemorative plates accompanying it tells the story of a people, a province and its founder. The selected location for the monument is consistent with the general area in which many of the historical events surrounding Riel took place and this also helps situate the onlookers.
Read more about this topic: Louis-Riel Sculpture By Miguel Joyal
Famous quotes containing the word change:
“In a decaying society, art, if it is truthful, must also reflect decay. And unless it wants to break faith with its social function, art must show the world as changeable. And help to change it.”
—Ernst Fischer (1899–1972)