Ralph Ireland
Voyageur Canoe, 2002-03
Basswood, 153 x 750 x 80 centimetres

This 2,000-pound relief, with its carved crew of twelve, is a life-sized replica of the massive canoes that sailed the waters of Canada over two centuries ago, helping the young nation's vital fur trade to flourish. The opportunity to recreate a piece of our heritage with this piece is very dear to the sculptor, who laments, "Canada has got a great, great history, and we forgot it."

About Ralph Ireland

Ralph Ireland works out of St. Sauveur, Quebec, with the assistance of master carpenter Serge Charron. Over 1,500 of Ireland's works, with 280,000 reproductions, are displayed around the world. In addition to his large-scale works like Voyageur Canoe, Ireland is also internationally renowned for his lifelike sculptures of various waterfowl.​