Ralph C. Ireland, is a man with a sense of purpose.
Through his sculpture he has committed himself to bringing back to life those historic moments in the discovery of North America which most evoke the vital roles played by early colonists and First Nations peoples in the founding of many of today's cities in both Canada and the U.S.A.
As well, Mr. Ireland aims at unifying Canadians by reminding them of a their common heritage through the legends of the courageous explorers who pushed back the boundaries of this immense and often hostile continent.
This romantic era of our history, Mr. Ireland feels, is often overlooked and rarely celebrated.
"The history of the voyageurs is the source of some of the proudest moments for Canadians, and deserves wider recognition on both the national and international stages. Without the unwavering courage and curiousity of these men, much of North America would have remained unknown."
The National Assembly and Capital Commission retained this magisterial work to celebrate the 400 th anniversary of the founding of Quebec in 1608. It is slated to be unveiled in October 2008, facing the Quebec parliament on the same site where a bronze replica of the carving will be permanently installed.
In October, 2007, the McCord Museum was the site of the first public showing of THE MONTREAL CANOE, a colossal sculpture weighing three thousand pounds, and measuring some thirty feet long.
This was a piece intended by the artist to stir collective memories among Quebecers. Passionate about history, its creator, Ralph C. Ireland, invested two years of research in its creation, and dedicates it to the people of Quebec.
The work, which depicts twelve real figures in the time of New France, was shown in the Tudor Room at Ogilvy's in downtown Montreal.
The story of the voyageurs is one of the proudest chapters in Canadian History, and deserves telling on both national and international stages. Without their unshakeable bravery and unwavering curiousity, much of the Americas would have remained unknown.
Commission retained this magisterial work to celebrate the 400 th anniversary of the founding of Quebec in 1608. It is slated to be unveiled in October 2008, facing the Quebec parliament on the same site where a bronze replica of the carving will be permanently installed.
