Description
A striking example of documentary art, this mural depicts the faces and uniforms of Ottawa’s 15 police chiefs from 1855 to 1983. The police chiefs are surrounded by Ottawa landmarks such as Chaudière Falls, the Ottawa River and Rideau Falls. The final design was produced under the tightest of deadlines: its unveiling was set for the first royal visit from the newly married Charles and Diana, Prince and Princess of Wales, in June 1983. Artist Jerry Grey had to make a rush order for supplies and the tiles were flown in from Italy, arriving just three weeks before the completion deadline. The task of washing, sorting and cutting 168,000 tiles and affixing them to the wall grid was shared by artists Susan Geraldine Taylor, Kiyomi Shoyama, Tildy Clemann and professional tile layer Vinko Dobaj. “We literally worked around the clock to complete the mural,” Grey said. “The people that worked for me—they really made a difference.”