What is it about horses that draw us in? We write songs, poems, stories, and create artwork to depict them. Is it because of their natural beauty; are we drawn to their strength, size and agility; or are we humbled by their co operation in allowing us onto their backs. Perhaps it is a longing and nostalgia for a simpler, slower and quieter life. Whatever the reason the horse has remained steadfast as a loyal partner and guide performing an unwitting yet instrumental contribution to the development of civilizations.  

 

Spanning the early 1900s to the present day, Unbridled celebrates the horse by combining historic photographs, archival material and heritage artifacts from the Whyte Museum collections along with historic and contemporary art borrowed from private and public lenders. Included are early photographs of outfitting and guiding highlighting the main form of travelling throughout the wilderness; advertisements that tempted savvy tourists to explore the west on horseback; beautifully beaded Indigenous tack; and emotionally moving paintings aside equines in action are among the treasures sourced to demonstrate our reverence and respect for the horse.

 

Contemporary and historical art weave a tale of the horse through various genres and interpretations. The contemporary artists in the exhibition are Mike Cameron, Laara Cassells, Arto Djerdjerian, Maureen Enns, Lois Green, Jennifer Mack, Cedar Mullen, Pascale Ouellet, Kevin Somner, Janice Tanton, Carl White and Linus Woods. Charlie Beil, Harry O’Hanlon, Joe Fafard, Carl Rungius, Illingworth Kerr, are some of the others represented through drawings, paintings, sculpture and text.

 

The role of the horse may have evolved over the years but it remains our constant companion worthy of our enduring high esteem and admiration. 

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  - DL Cameron, Curator