CORRECTIONS (2012)

CORRECTIONS is a site-specific conceptual work which brings together two concepts of demarcating "imperfections" in a given place (ie. the physical exhibition space or specific pieces of cardboard). Kennedy began this work in the mid-1970s using cardboard as his 'site' then returned to the idea in 2018 when he expanded the project to the gallery space. 

"My exhibition, CORRECTIONS brings together two related concepts. The first can be seen in my response to the imperfections scattered throughout four rectangles of rusty brown, low grade, packing cardboard. The imperfections appear as little oval dots, mostly dark brown. Two of these cardboard panels were reproduced in the catalogue for my 1978 exhibition, "Garry Neill Kennedy: Recent Work" at the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO). The exhibition was curated by Roald Nasgaard, then chief curator of the AGO. They were entitled, Imperfections, separately framed and exhibited as a diptych with the following catalogue description:

24. Imperfections, 1975

Coloured pencil on cardboard (right panel) (diptych)

30 x 22 in, (each panel)

In the back of the catalogue I described them in my notes:

The large imperfections found within the left panel have been carefully removed with a sharp knife. Beside each large imperfection on the right panel an identical one is drawn with coloured pencils. 

About the same time, 9175, I turned my attention to the imperfections in the other two panels. For one panel, I used the imperfections to dot the letter i of all the words I could think of that began with that letter. For the other, I used the imperfections as targets for a 'connect-the dot' pencil drawing that I started at the top of the panel and zig-zagged my way down to the bottom. 

My attempt to use the structure of the 'place' (i.e. the cardboard) as the subject of the drawings is common to all four drawings. 

The second concept brings into play the Anna Leonowens Gallery II itself. My approach to this 'place' responds to its wear and tear condition—full of cracks, holes, and irregular surfaces including the somewhat clumsy installation of electrical outlets and exposed plumbing. I have highlighted these imperfections with coloured spray paint—just as city work crews mark-up the streets and sidewalks that are in need or repair. 

Perhaps this exhibition will suggest a way out of NSCAD's financial dilemma—allegorically speaking. However, I love the Anna Leonowens Gallery II space as it is—and I love how well it has served the College community over the past 38 years. I would be very cautious how, when and where to carry out corrections." 

-Garry Neill Kennedy, exhibition folder text, Halifax, 2012

CORRECTIONS was first exhibited in 2012 at the Anna Leonowens Gallery II at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design (NSCAD) University (Halifax, NS) to celebrate NSCAD's 125th Anniversary; it was installed by Kennedy with assistance by Jesse Mitchell. The work was exhibited again in 2018 at Open Space (Victoria, BC) with installation by Jesse Campbell and Miles Giesbrecht.

CORRECTIONS and Imperfections were both acquired by the National Gallery of Canada in 2018.