Shafia Family Murders

Artist Joanne Tod (Canadian, born 1953)

CultureCanadian

Date2012

MediumHand-painted vitreous china

DimensionsOverall: 3/16 × 4 3/16 × 4 3/16 in. (0.5 × 10.7 × 10.7 cm)

Markings-"Joanne Tod, 2012" is signed on the back of all three tiles, and "Shafia Family Murders" is written on the back of all three as well

DescriptionThis collection of tiles were made by Joanne Tod for the Gardiner Museum exhibition, Invited Invasion, 2012. Author Peggy Gale observes: “More chilling is a series of six blue-and-white Murder Tiles depicting former colonel Russell Williams (CFB Trenton, 2009–2010) as well as murder victims Reena Virk (Squamish, British Columbia, 1997), David Buller (represented by his name and the site of his death at the University of Toronto, 2001), and three images from the prosecution of the Shafia family for their “honour” killings (Kingston, 2009). These are based the Gardiner’s group of seventeenth-century delft wares tiles illustrating the popish plot, each commemorating a series of “stages” for murder moving from victim through court case and trial to punishment. There is no irony in these studies, but a grim reminder of the constancy of human nature and of human potential for evil.”

Credit LineGift of Joanne Tod

Object numberG12.21.1.1-3

Classifications

Modern and Contemporary Ceramics

Sub-classification

Canadian

Collections

Status

Not on view