Public Artwork
Tapisserie (McGill)
Artwork creator(s):
McAvoy, Kelvin
Text author(s):
McAvoy, Kelvin
Installation year:
1969
Remarks on location:
In the lobby of the McGill University Library
Description:
Tapestry featuring the portrait of James McGill, a short biography in the centre and three images related to significant periods of his life on the right.
Text of the artwork:
James
McGill Born 1744
Glasgow
Began
Furtra
Ping
1767
Fought in war of
1812
Married
Madame des Rivières
1776 Bought
Burnside
Farm 1778, 46 acres
Died
1813
Text theme:
History
History:
In the summer of 1969, just months after it was installed at McGill Metro Station, the work was targeted by vandals. The tapestry was removed from the station to be cleaned but, because there was a dispute between the donor of the work and the Montreal Metro organization, it was never returned. The City of Montreal finally surrendered it to McGill University in 1972.
Dimensions:
Height:
3.9m
Width:
3.5m
Owner(s):
Compagnie d’assurance canadienne universelle; STM 
Syndicate
