While his business card indicates he’s a photographer, Tyrrell Mendis opted to use a different art form – collage – when he submitted cover art for this issue of Uptown Magazine.
Tyrrell was one of two Winnipeggers who responded to our call to artists last month to create an Uptown cover in celebration of Canada 125.
Eleven-year-old Rebecca Perlmutter also submitted one of her drawings, a brightly coloured detailed scene of people enjoying fireworks in the park.
A picture’s worth a thousand words, so we are happy to turn our July cover into a visual tribute to the country’s 125th anniversary. Along with the artwork Tyrrell provided an artist’s statement describing his creation.
“I elected to go with a collage of photographs to depict the various influences that have shaped Canada over the years and made the country what it is today. The images range from the old and faded picture of the Fathers of Confederation to the Canadian flag, waving proudly against black and blue skies, indicative of troubled times and calm periods in our country’s history.
“The packages topped with numerous bows represent our individual contributions to the country, gathered together with the collective ribbon of unity. The soaring columns touched by a single person symbolise the strength of the individual in both supporting and guarding the country, and also the country’s impressive growth in stature.
“But who we are cannot be considered in a void. Canada’s place in the global context is indicated by the small world – for it is, indeed, a small world – and captions that refer to some aspects of Canada and Canadians. Finally, what this is all about is shown by the single bow and the inscription ‘Canada 125’ : a birthday greeting.”
Our July cover is our way of saying Happy Birthday, Canada! Across the country this year, there are more Canada 125 events happening than you can shake a proverbial stick at. Good thing, too. It’s high time we rallied ’round the flag and pounded our chests about our homeland.
The United Nations has ranked Canada the best place in the world to live. All you have to do is travel a bit, read a bit, talk to people from other lands, and you’ll realize over and over again that the Canadian standard of living is second to none.
It is time to celebrate that fact. This is the land of opportunity; let’s strive towards making it even better.
— HEIDI QUIRING, EDITOR