The Government of Ontario’s art holdings reflects the changing tastes of the last 160 years and are a representation of Ontario’s collective history. That’s certainly evident here, in the office of the Premier of Ontario.

Hi I’m Lani Wilson, Curator of the Government of Ontario Art Collection.

Artworks in the collection are acquired through donation, purchase or commission. For example, this work, Roots by Daphne Odjig, was acquired in 1980 for a new government building in Sudbury.

The majority of works, however, are donated to the collection. These include generous gifts from the Ontario Society of Artists such as these paintings by Bev Rodin and James MacDougall in the Premier’s office, City Portrait by Leon Belsky in the office of the Premier’s executive assistant and Grand Season by Joanne Clarke in the Premier’s boardroom.

All of the art in the office and its adjoining suites are selected by the current Premier.

The Government of Ontario Art Collection is also responsible for commissioning portraits of all outgoing premiers, such as these, in the hallway outside of the Premier’s Office in the Ontario Legislature. 

You can see the portraits by booking a tour of the Ontario Legislature at www.ontla.on.ca. To find out more about the Government of Ontario’s art collection, visit ontario.ca/archives

Back