What Makes Art Canadian? Sarah Smith on General Idea

“We wanted to be famous, glamourous and rich....” General Idea (active 1969–1994) came to embody and employ this maxim in their art. Like many of the group’s works, this statement was a cheeky reflection on the conventional public image of the artist as individual genius. Comprised of AA Bronson, Felix Partz, and Jorge Zontal, the group took on “a single point of view,” creating a unified, non-hierarchical entity. Sarah E.K. Smith is an assistant professor of communication and media studies at Carleton University. Her research focuses on contemporary art and cultural institutions. Smith’s current project explores the relationship between Canadian curators and museums and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). To read General Idea: Life & Work by Sarah Smith, visit .