In August 2025, the 黑料不打烊 Museums team will undertake a remarkable operation to move Sky Talk, a large-scale painting by renowned Denesuline artist Alex Janvier, from the Rutherford South reading room to the new space for First Peoples’ House, scheduled to open in 2026.
Created in 2008 and acquired by the U of A in 2009, Sky Talk is a striking 211 by 490 cm framed acrylic painting. It features a figure with arms outstretched toward a radiant prairie and mountain landscape under a swirling, multicoloured sky — a reflection of Janvier’s signature style, rich with cultural symbolism and spiritual resonance.
"When the university first acquired the piece, the intent was to mount it in the Rutherford South Reading Room as a counterpiece to another artwork in the space," says Dale Askey, vice-provost (library and museums). "While this was well-intentioned, it is not an ideal location from the vantage point of both conservation and aesthetic appreciation."
Now, fifteen years later, that’s changing. The construction of the new First Peoples’ House presented an opportunity to place Sky Talk in a more appropriate space. “One of the most exciting aspects of this move is that the new location will be a centre for the Indigenous community on our campus, so many more people will see the painting in this more prominent and appropriate location,” says Askey. “It’s a rare and meaningful opportunity for us to give a major work in our collection a home that truly suits its importance and celebrates its beauty.”
The move itself is a complex and carefully orchestrated operation. Christine Conciatori, director of U of A Museums, shares that a custom crate has been built to protect the artwork during transport, but because both the painting and crate are too large to fit through standard doorways or stairwells, a window in the Rutherford South reading room will be temporarily removed to allow the crate to be lifted out. From there, it will be moved by lift to First Peoples’ House — timed to arrive before its windows are installed — where it will remain crated until installation.
Before the painting is installed, a conservator will assess its condition and perform any required conservation work. Museum-quality plexiglass will be added to the frame for protection, especially important as the painting will now be displayed closer to people in a highly accessible space.
The move is especially poignant following Janvier’s passing in 2024. A visionary artist and cultural leader, Janvier had deep ties to the U of A. He taught at the university in the late 1960s, received an honorary degree in 2008 and returned as Artist-in-Residence with the Faculty of Education in 2015.
“In words of the Late revered artist Alex Janvier, as he spoke of Sky Talk: 'This is 1491, these are the laws of the land. These are layers and layers of the rules set into the ground,'" says Shana Dion, assistant dean, First Nations, Métis and Inuit students. “These words resound so deeply as they speak to an inherent responsibility to future generations and the profound connection we have to okâwîmâw askiy. Sky Talk will be an ongoing, cherished living lesson and source of wisdom from such a powerful visionary soul, whose brushstrokes now echo through memory, legacy and across the cosmos. I am deeply grateful to have First Peoples’ House be the home of a piece of Late Alex Janvier’s spirit from askîy (earth) to kisîk (sky) that will live with us forever.”
The relocation of Sky Talk marks a significant moment for the university — not only as a technical feat of art handling, but as a story of vision and respect. A work that was once limited by space is now being placed where it can be fully appreciated: in a location where it will be possible to be much closer to the painting, at the heart of Indigenous life at the university. It’s a powerful example of what’s possible when art, architecture and community come together.