The Varley Art Gallery of Markham continues to offer compelling exhibitions that bridge past and present, inviting visitors to reconsider how art, history, and institutions shape collective understanding. Running from February 7 to May 3, 2026, two exhibitions—one contemporary and one historical—create a thoughtful dialogue about observation, memory, and the evolving role of museums.

Exhibition Highlights

Sameer Farooq: The Fairest Order in the World and Sketching the Past, present distinct yet complementary perspectives on museums and their narratives.

In his solo exhibition, Sameer Farooq explores the legacy of museums through sculptural installations, film, sound, and text. His work examines issues such as provenance, restitution, and the lingering effects of colonial collecting practices. By imagining museums emptied of contested objects, Farooq proposes new possibilities for how these institutions might evolve—shifting their focus toward care, dialogue, and ethical storytelling. The immersive installation encourages slow, deliberate viewing, enhanced by an ambient soundscape and poetic interventions that challenge traditional exhibition labels.

In contrast, Sketching the Past looks back to the 1950s through the eyes of Frederick Varley. Featuring sketches created during his visits to the Royal Ontario Museum, the exhibition captures moments of observation across natural history and cultural displays. Varley’s detailed renderings of artifacts, fossils, and fellow visitors reveal both artistic precision and curiosity. Together with archival photographs, these works provide insight into historical museum practices while prompting reflection on how exhibition methods and cultural narratives have changed over time.

Bridging Past and Present

What makes these exhibitions particularly engaging is their shared focus on the act of looking. Farooq asks visitors to slow down and reconsider the meaning and ownership of objects, while Varley’s sketches demonstrate the timeless human impulse to observe and record.

Together, they highlight a broader conversation about museums—not merely as repositories of objects, but as evolving spaces shaped by social values, historical context, and artistic interpretation. Visitors are encouraged to reflect on how institutions have transformed and what responsibilities they hold in representing diverse histories.

Planning Your Visit

Located in the heart of Markham, the gallery provides an accessible and enriching cultural experience for visitors of all ages. Whether you are drawn to contemporary conceptual art or historical works on paper, this season’s exhibitions offer a balanced and thought-provoking outing.

With its commitment to both innovation and heritage, the Varley Art Gallery continues to be a vital cultural destination—one that invites visitors to look closely, think deeply, and engage meaningfully with art and history.