SPELLBOUND:

Fantasy, Magic, and Surrealism from Glenhyrst’s Collection

July 5 to August 31, 2025

Hortense Gordon, Enigma, 1926, tempera and tissue on paper. Accession no: 963.06

Gift of the Gordon Estate

Exhibition Description:

Spellbound: Fantasy, Magic, and Surrealism from Glenhyrst’s Collection is a children’s exhibition showcasing artworks that invite viewers to reconsider everyday reality through imaginative and unconventional lenses. Featuring interactive displays, writing stations, and silly jokes, this engaging exhibition includes works by artists from Canada, the United States, and Europe, such as Karel Appel, June Drutz, Rudolf Bikkers, Lionel LeMoine FitzGerald (Group of Seven), and Hortense Gordon (Painters Eleven).

Through their whimsical and otherworldly depictions of people, places, and objects, these artists encourage reflection on our personal relationship to reality, the subconscious, and the human condition. To enhance accessibility and foster deeper engagement among younger visitors, all artworks have been intentionally installed at a lower height on the wall.

Spellbound embraces a child-centred approach to exhibition design and forms part of Glenhyrst’s ongoing commitment to activating its permanent collection in ways that broaden access and deepen educational impact for audiences of all ages.