An exhibition featuring the 16 new works added to the Yukon Permanent Art Collection opened last Thursday in the main foyer of the Jim Smith Building.

Entitled Dis Orientation, the show explores the points of connection among artist, artwork, and viewer.

It features a wide range of media, including stained glass, illustration, carving, painting, textile and digital collage.

The artists featured are Claire Falkenberg, Jared Kane, Annie Kierans, Rebecca Manias, Calvin Morberg, Cole Pauls, Krystle Silverfox and Amy Tessaro.

Dis Orientation will be on display until the spring of 2023. Works from the exhibition can also be viewed at https://foypac.ca

“Congratulations to these artists on this important achievement,” said Tourism and Culture Minister Ranj Pillai.

“The Yukon Permanent Art Collection is richer thanks to your unique artwork and perspectives.

“I encourage Yukoners to take in this wonderful exhibition celebrating the immense artistic talent we have in the territory.”

Geneviève Gagnon, the president of the Friends of the Yukon Permanent Art Collection, said this year’s selected works “reaffirm the vibrancy of the Yukon’s visual arts sector.

“The artists showcased in Dis Orientation take us on a journey that expands material practice to communicate bold ideas, honour tradition, and explore contemporary issues.

“(Friends) is thrilled to broaden the scope of mediums and voices represented in the collection. We hope you join us in celebrating these pieces and their creators,” Gagnon added.

Silverfox said she is “extremely thrilled that my work ‘tth’í’ yáw nan (thread beads land)’ is in the Yukon Permanent Art collection.

“It is such an honour to have my work alongside such amazing and iconic artists and artworks in the collection.

“I hope that this series helps to inspire the next generations of Yukon artists,” Silverfox said.

Each year, the government acquires new art for the collection. The call for art results in a high number of applications from Yukon artists.

Acquisitions are selected by the Friends through an arm’s-length adjudication process.

The Friends is a non-profit society made up of artists, art professionals and community members dedicated to the continued growth of the collection.

This year’s selections were made from 88 submissions by 40 artists.

The collection celebrated its 40th anniversary last year with a retrospective exhibition that can be viewed online.

There are more than 500 works by 275 artists in the collection.

Works from the collection are displayed in public areas of government buildings throughout the Yukon, as well as special curated exhibitions and loans to other institutions.

Silverfox was shortlisted for this year’s Sobey Art Award.