This is exciting news, though a bit late – Magdalena Abakanowicz was here in Vancouver last week!

On May 25th one of the preeminent sculptors of our time, Polish artist Magdalena Abakanowicz will unveil the installation of Vancouver Ancestors, her latest work consisting of twenty iron cast, 9 foot tall headless figures. Created specifically for the 2005/2006 Vancouver International Sculpture Biennale, Vancouver Ancestors (shown above) will be the 21st of 23 sculpture installations for the eighteen-month event.

I wish I’d known earlier and I would have been at the unveiling. However her work will be up for almost a year in beautiful Queen Elizabeth Park, and I’m greatly anticipating seeing Abakanowicz’ work in real life for the first time! As regular readers know, she is one of my favourite artists, whom I wrote about only just recently.

The inaugural Vancouver Sculpture Biennale: 2005/2006 will highlight Vancouver’s public spaces with an 18-month installation of major public art sculptures scheduled to begin in June when international works of art from around the world will be installed throughout Vancouver’s public spaces.

Check out the map and the list of participating artists from around the world along with images of their works. Included along with Abakanowicz, are such well-known artists as Yoko Ono, Dennis Oppenheim, and the late Bill Reid. The Biennale continues until April 2007, and is accessible 24/7, 365 days per year and is free for all to enjoy. Did I say I am excited? More to come later…