Postage Stamps: Image of a Country
New postage stamp exhibition shows who we are as a nation
Gatineau, Quebec, January 19, 2005 — The special power of postage stamps to portray our national history is the focus of a new exhibition at the Canadian Postal Museum of the Canadian Museum of Civilization. Postage Stamps: Image of a Country is a dazzling display of Canadian stamps released between 1997 and 2004 — many of them masterpieces of portraiture, photography, colour and artistic design.
The images in this exhibition will appeal both to stamp collectors and to visitors interested in the visual arts and Canadian history and society. All the stamps and information on view are provided courtesy of Canada Post.
The themes brought vividly to life in Postage Stamps: Image of a Country include the Millennium, with its special souvenir collections highlighting Canada’s history and heritage of achievement; the Chinese Lunar New Year; Sports; Wildlife; the Environment; History and Society; Work; the Economy; Art and Fine Arts; Politics, the Military, Transportation and Communications; and Education.
The Sports theme alone presents a variety of dramatic images. Among these are action vignettes capturing the unique character of six of Canada’s hockey superstars, a sumo wrestler in ceremonial pose, graceful hot air balloons, four of Canada’s legendary race horses, and a panorama of the Tall Ships assembled in Halifax Harbour for the race of the century.
Visitors will discover how postage stamps honour the achievements of Canadians from every walk of life, as well as diverse Canadian institutions. The many evocative examples on display include Canadian astronauts, Canada’s volunteer firefighters, teachers, health professionals, writers, artists, the Boys and Girls Club of Canada, the Law Society of Upper Canada and the Montreal Symphony Orchestra.
Each of the exhibition’s 97 panels features a montage with an enlargement of one particular stamp so that visitors can appreciate the intricate detail. Visitors will also learn who created the image and how it was made, using techniques as varied as sculpting, calligraphy and embroidery.
Above all, the exhibition reveals the essential part that postage stamps play in our national heritage by visually celebrating our history and who we are as a people.
Postage Stamps: Image of a Country will be on display at the Canadian Postal Museum of the Canadian Museum of Civilization until July 6, 2005.
Media Information:
Chief, Media Relations
Canadian Museum of Civilization
Tel.: (819) 776-7167
Media Relations Officer
Canadian Museum of Civilization
Tel.: (819) 776-7169
Fax: (819) 776-7187
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