Two new exhibitions have opened at the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies in Banff: "Thick as Thieves," a touring show from the MacKenzie Art Gallery in Regina, and "When our eyes touch," drawn from the museum's own collection. "Thick as Thieves" explores themes of power, secrecy, and trust through works spanning from Auguste Rodin sculptures to contemporary pieces by August Klintberg and Amanda Strong, curated by Crystal Mowry. "When our eyes touch" focuses on portraiture by museum founders Peter Whyte and Catharine Robb Whyte, featuring paintings from their time at art school in Boston and later portraits of Stoney Nakoda community members, curated by Dagny Dubois and Christina Cuthbertson. Both exhibitions run until November 8.
These exhibitions matter because they bring a nationally touring show to a regional museum, connecting the Canadian Rockies to broader conversations about institutional power, exclusion, and restitution in art. The inclusion of Indigenous community engagement—such as showing portraits at the Bearspaw Youth Centre to identify ancestors—demonstrates a thoughtful approach to repatriation and representation. The pairing of a contemporary thematic show with a historical portrait collection offers visitors a layered experience that challenges traditional museum narratives.