2 free Juno art exhibits to see at the AGH

Ahead of this year's Juno Awards, art and music intersect at the Art Gallery of Hamilton through a pair of exhibits — one of the artists themselves, and another wherein they pick art from the AGH's catalogue, and tell you why.

Called the Juno Photography Exhibition and the Juno Tour of Canadian Art, the pair of exhibits will be on display until mid-April, well ahead of the Juno's March 15 awards night in Hamilton.

In the Juno Tour of Canadian Art, artists picked pieces from the AGH's collection, explaining why in their own words. Artists like Tim Hicks, High Valley, Ian Thornley of Big Wreck, The Tea Party, Jill Barber, and Tom Wilson and Stephen Fearing of Blackie and the Rodeo Kings made selections and explanations.

It's the fifth iteration of the event, with previous showings in Toronto, Ottawa, Regina and Winnipeg.

Meanwhile, the photography exhibit shows the artists themselves through a remarkable and reflective collection.

The photographs are from the 40th anniversary book on the Junos, Music from Far and Wide, and show many of Canada's most famous musical faces as they emerged.

The work is by photographers Barry Roden, Bruce Cole, Grant Martin, Tom Sandler and multiple photographers from iPhoto Inc.

There are photos of Drake, Justin Bieber, Michael Bublé, Neil Young, Randy Bachman, Feist, K'naan, Sam Roberts, Rush, The Tragically Hip, Gordon Lightfoot, Anne Murray, Sarah McLachlan and Daniel Lanois.

Chad Kroeger and Avril Lavigne are even shown side by side, although in separate photos, in a corner.

One patron,  Shivani Rasalingam, who is visiting from Buffalo, said she is no stranger to Canadian music. Growing up on the border meant a lot of Canadian radio, and a lot of familiar faces. She said it was refreshing to see the older photos when the artists were emerging.

"To choose Alanis Morissette with like her hair curly in a  poofy dress… What you see of people in different stages — Drake and Justin Bieber at that stage (in 2010) — it's wonderful to see the way it's been through the years."

The Juno Photography Exhibition is on display until April 19, and the Juno Tour of Canadian Art will be available until April 26. Admission to both exhibits is free.