The Art of Inventory

Typically, when my boss asks me to inventory a section of the library, I carefully wait until I'm out of sight before I sigh and roll eyes. But when she asked me to work on the art shelves; to pick up each and every book to compare it to the shelf list card, I did a happy dance instead.

What a treat! I joyfully reacquainted myself with many old friends: Agam, Raphael Soyer, Marc Chagall, Judy Chicago, and Arthur Szyk. I also found some new treasures.

I fell in love with the work of Miriam Schapiro and Linda Spaner Dayan Frimer. They both use the vivid saturated colors that I love. Schapiro has been very active in the feminist art movement. Her works incorporate techniques of quilting, weaving, collage, and humor. She explores the themes of life as a woman, an artist, and a Jew.

Similarly, many of Frimer's painting have a collage feel. In her book In honour of our Grandmothers, she compares her immigrant grandmother's experience of building a new life as a displayed person with that of a Native Canadian who had been expelled from her home.

Another great 'find' for me was Samuel Bak. He paints richly detailed surrealistic landscapes.

The library has a new page on our website on our art collection.
Check out our page and browse the stacks. Just wait a couple of weeks before you look for Schapiro or Frimer - I'm hoarding them!