An ongoing postcard series that quotes from speculative and concrete conversations with artists about what an artists' pension program could/should look like (or not). Postcards are oversized to wrangle with a big topic. "Pension Program" pays tribute to activist-affectionate histories of mail art in Canada, as well as to London, Ontario as the originating home of Canadian Artists' Representation (now Canadian Artists' Representation/Le Front des artistes canadiens (CARFAC).
Conversations with artist Kim Ondaatje were the impetus for this project. A note from Kim reads, "There needs to be a safety net for artists, who have contributed to the human community, when they no longer have the energy to contribute — they die in the streets, or lose their frozen fingers!" The first postcard in the series depicts Kim at her Blueroof Farm, and the reverse side reproduces some of her research into artists' pensions.
No Context by Eve Nicholson-Smith (2026). Drifting into the future, dreaming through cycles of care.
Patches on a found work apron, by Parker Branch (2020). The repeated movement of manual labour marks the surface of a fabric and gives a concrete form to time spent and work done.
Kim Ondaatje at Blueroof, photo by Ruth Skinner (2017). Featuring a quote from Ondaatje on the necessity of an artists' pension program, and of public support for artists.
$20 for five postcards (make your selection below)
Note: postcards are oversized at 6" × 8" / 6" x 6" and can be sent with 1 domestic stamp (in Canada)