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AGO honours CARFAC founder Jack Chambers

A new gallery at the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) will feature Jack Chambers, founder of the Canadian Artists’ Representation (CARFAC), Canada’s national association of visual and media artists. The Jack Chambers room, located on the 4th floor of the Vivian & David Campbell Centre for Contemporary Art, will showcase both paintings and films by Chambers.Visitors will also discover more about Chambers, CARFAC and the movement for artists’ rights through both text and a phone number they can call from their cell phones to hear Chambers’ speak about his involvement with CARFAC.

Before CARFAC was formed in 1968, artists were not compensated for the exhibition and reproduction of their work in public galleries. Jack Chambers brought artists together to demand they be treated the same as other professionals and be paid for their work. Chambers had a profound impact on the development of government policies and legislative reform including the inclusion of the Exhibition Right in Canada’s Copyright Act in 1988. Now celebrating its 40th anniversary, CARFAC continues to work on behalf of Canadian artists who still earn 41% below the national average.

“The new AGO is a place where many different voices are welcome; Jack Chambers was an artist who believed that the voices of artists should be heard and we are excited to be able to celebrate the significant achievements of CARFAC and Chambers as part of our grand reopening,” said Shiralee Hudson Hill, AGO Interpretive Planner.

Born in London, Ontario, Jack Chambers was a painter and filmmaker whose work can be seen at institutions such as the National Gallery, the Art Gallery of Ontario, and Museum London. He died in 1978.

Listen to Jack Chambers speak about CARFAC in a 1973 interview by calling this toll free number: 1-888-244-4184 (code 110#).

The AGO reopened its doors to the public last Friday, unveiling its transformed design, interactive galleries and inspirational art.

For more information contact:

Kristian Clarke
Executive Director
CARFAC Ontario
416-340-8850

For media inquiries outside business hours, call 613-255-4645 or 613-791-6411.