Joyce Wieland (1931-1998) is one of the most accomplished and versatile Canadian artists. She achieved a level of commercial and critical success that was exceptional for a woman working in a male-dominated field. 

During her dynamic and influential career, Wieland established new benchmarks for what was possible for a female artist to achieve. Notably, she was the first woman to have a solo exhibition at the National Gallery (Ottawa) in 1971.

Wieland has an important connection to pop art. As a commercial illustrator and animator, she was heavily influenced by comics, advertising and the depiction of everyday objects. While Wieland did explore abstraction, representational and narrative elements, as well as text, regularly appear in her work. 

This print, from the illustrious "Toronto Twenty Portfolio" possesses many of Wieland's signature motifs and themes: stylized sailboats, references to environmentalism, elements of text and the contrast between Canada and the United States. 

Furthermore, when this work is viewed in context with the other prints in the portfolio, by celebrated artists such as Michael Snow, Sorel Etrog and William Ronald (to mention a few), we are reminded of Wieland's confidence and singularity of vision. Her contribution is almost entirely text-based and monochromatic - in the context of both the era and her contemporaries this is remarkably bold and unique. 

Joyce Wieland works can be found in numerous public collections across Canada including the National Gallery, Museum London and the Art Gallery of Ontario (Toronto) to mention a few.