In redrawing the map of North America, Curnoe may well have been aware of the 1929 Surrealist map of the world by an anonymous artist who redrew the continents, eliminating the United States completely. Here he makes his own tongue-in-cheek statement that fits his views about cultural imperialism. Sheila Curnoe recalls her husband coming into their kitchen after he had successfully connected Mexico to the Canadian border: “He was so pleased with himself. He was laughing about it. It was meant to be funny and not to be taken so seriously.” Although Curnoe made other versions of this map, this is the one that has been most exhibited, especially as an example of Conceptual art.

This Spotlight is excerpted from Greg Curnoe: Life & Work by Judith Rodger.