Elinor Gill Ratcliffe Gifts the Province With a $250,000 Donation to Purchase a Major Work by Artist Billy Gauthier

July 2, 2024

The following is being distributed at the request of The Rooms Corporation:

A sculpture carved by Labrador-based (Nunatsiavut) artist Billy Gauthier has been purchased by The Rooms through a major donation by philanthropist Elinor Gill Ratcliffe.

The Earth Our Mother, was carved from a huge fin whale skull in August 2023 over seven days during the Bonavista Biennale. It is the largest work the artist has created to date. Animal life, landscapes, and faces emerge, telling a multi-part story that holds considerable meaning. The work reflects Gauthier’s relationship to his ancestors, the land, his Inuk heritage, and carries with it the artist’s appeal for responsible stewardship of the planet for future generations.

The donation will ensure that this important artwork remains in the province and in the public domain as Gauthier intended. This generous donation will also support Gauthier’s ongoing artistic practice, as well as programming for schools that The Rooms plans to develop in order to share the message of environmental stewardship carried by the piece. The donation solidifies Billy Gauthier as one of the most significant artists of this province. The remainder of the donation supports the extensive conservation that was required to bring the sculpture into the gallery.

Many resources and much ingenuity went into ensuring the artwork would be displayed publicly, including the safe transportation of this enormous but delicate artwork. The sculpture required isolation for conservation before being placed on exhibition in the gallery. When examining the artwork at The Rooms last October, our conservator discovered insects living deep within the sculpture – before reaching Gauthier, the whalebone had rested outdoors for over 40 years. A unique and innovative conservation approach was developed to ensure the artwork could be moved indoors permanently. The Rooms is grateful to Colbourne Industrial Services for assisting with this endeavour which took several months.

The sculpture was placed on display in The Rooms Level 4 Gallery to mark National Indigenous People’s Day and is now available for public viewing.

Quote

The people I’d like to reach the most through this truthful tale are the ones with the patience, persistence, and unconditional drive to right our wrongs on our only true home: The Earth. I love science, culture, poetry, nature, visual arts, and truth. This is my attempt to merge them all.”
Billy Gauthier
Labrador-based (Nunatsiavut) artist

“I am an admirer and avid follower of Billy’s work. I was fortunate to be able to view The Earth, Our Mother while Billy was carving her in Bonavista. I knew immediately that this significant work carried an extremely important message, and, like Billy, I wanted to ensure this message would be shared with the people of this province.”
Elinor Gill Ratcliffe,
Philanthropist

“We are so grateful to Billy for creating this magnificent work, and to Elinor for her incredibly generous donation. We recognize the vital message that comes with this beautiful sculpture and we will work to share it with both residents and visitors to this province.”
Anne Chafe,
CEO, The Rooms Corporation

-30-

Learn more
The Rooms

NT6