More than a hundred years of First Nations history received some delicate treatment at the Saskatchewan Legislative building today.
Portraits of 15 First Nations leaders, dating back to 1909, were re-hung in the legislature after a careful rebuilding of their frames and backing.
Saskatchewan’s first premier, Walter Scott, originally commissioned the work by Edmund Morris before the legislature was built.
Morris used pastels – kind of like chalk – which easily smudges.
The job of removing the delicate artwork and re-framing it went to Michael Rankin.
“Compared to other pastels I have worked on, these are actually very stable…I mean I was surprised, being a hundred years plus they were in amazing shape,” he says.
The art works are on permanent display at the Assinboine gallery on the main floor of the legislative building.