I AM WORTH MORE THAN ONE MILLION DOLLARS TO MY PEOPLE

Artist/Creator: Rebecca Belmore (Artist)
Date: 2010
ID #: BG3798

Physical Description

Medium: spray paint, wood
Support: wood
Dimensions: 209 cm 120 cm (Object)
Object Description: I AM WORTH MORE THAN ONE MILLION DOLLARS TO MY PEOPLE is the placard from Rebecca Belmore's performance Worth (--Statement of Defence), staged outside the Vancouver Art Gallery in 2010. Worth is a response to the end of Belmore's professional relationship with her commercial art dealer. Belmore requested all her artwork be returned to her from the dealer leading to a civil suit against the artist for alleged damages due to loss of sales amounting to 1.1 million dollars. For the performance, Belmore washes the pavement in front of her before laying out her work, Wild (2001), a red bedcover with strands of hair woven into it that she had used in previous performances that referenced Belmore’s occupation of – or stepping in and out of – colonial spaces. Belmore concludes the performance by wrapping up Wild and presenting it to the Vancouver Art Gallery’s Chief Curator/Associate Director, stating, “I Quit!” By referencing the civil suit, I AM WORTH MORE THAN A MILLION DOLLARS TO MY PEOPLE expresses how artistic value for Belmore is not monetary, but lies within her cultural connections and contributions.

Documentation of the performance "Worth", staged at the entrance of the Vancouver Art Gallery on September 11, 2010.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cv9DfVAzok4

History

Collection: Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery Permanent Collection
Credit Line: Purchased with support from members of the Belkin Curator's Forum, 2010
Related Exhibitions: Start Somewhere Else: Works from the Collection

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