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[Work by Associate Prof. Ilene Sova acquired by Government of Ontario Art Collection](/index%2Ephp/markdownify/node/4191) February 3, 2026 # Work by Associate Prof. Ilene Sova acquired by Government of Ontario Art Collection ![Building of Government of Ontario Art Collection](/sites/default/files/styles/1_5_1_large/public/2026-02/ilene%202.jpg.webp?itok=YAkuKplZ) rgb(255,255,255) Associate Professor Ilene Sova's collage series, Unknown Relative, was recently purchased by the [Government of Ontario Art Collection.](https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.archives.gov.on.ca%2Fart-collection%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cmadgeyao%40ocadu.ca%7Cc3b2e51ee62e44b44c2208de62702bdb%7C06e469d12d2a468fae9b7df0968eb6d7%7C0%7C0%7C639056431132629308%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=3NHjWUfbW3nPBy1CHu46TfdXu7mz9TG8IPRBMsK3L%2BE%3D&reserved=0 "Original URL: https://www.archives.gov.on.ca/art-collection/ Click to follow link.")[ ](https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.archives.gov.on.ca%2Fart-collection%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cmadgeyao%40ocadu.ca%7Cc3b2e51ee62e44b44c2208de62702bdb%7C06e469d12d2a468fae9b7df0968eb6d7%7C0%7C0%7C639056431132690754%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=lyZUQvGDk1YworXl9ECs8x7sHX%2F9wjSsMmXCWDSEjK0%3D&reserved=0 "Original URL: https://www.archives.gov.on.ca/art-collection/ Click to follow link.")The four works chosen for acquisition feature stories of immigration to Canada during WWII from the Bahamas and of new Canadians settling into the neighbourhood of Cabbage Town in Toronto. The[ ](https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ilenesova.com%2Fartwork%2Funknown-relative&data=05%7C02%7Cmadgeyao%40ocadu.ca%7Cc3b2e51ee62e44b44c2208de62702bdb%7C06e469d12d2a468fae9b7df0968eb6d7%7C0%7C0%7C639056431132747417%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=LErcgnU%2BlirA%2FZNdVXJdTjEnJREd8H%2B8edcxrTcTCCE%3D&reserved=0 "Original URL: https://www.ilenesova.com/artwork/unknown-relative Click to follow link.")[*Unknown Relative*](https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ilenesova.com%2Fartwork%2Funknown-relative&data=05%7C02%7Cmadgeyao%40ocadu.ca%7Cc3b2e51ee62e44b44c2208de62702bdb%7C06e469d12d2a468fae9b7df0968eb6d7%7C0%7C0%7C639056431132806264%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=EO%2FYlSYvO4xBLpQ1IQV7Vnq5pBEjyAh1YbtNd01ptxw%3D&reserved=0 "Original URL: https://www.ilenesova.com/artwork/unknown-relative Click to follow link.")[ ](https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ilenesova.com%2Fartwork%2Funknown-relative&data=05%7C02%7Cmadgeyao%40ocadu.ca%7Cc3b2e51ee62e44b44c2208de62702bdb%7C06e469d12d2a468fae9b7df0968eb6d7%7C0%7C0%7C639056431132862542%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=Sj9brFz4E7cFqe8WHSS7XhTmrPLB3AvWRvuRmhVPNm8%3D&reserved=0 "https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ilenesova.com%2Fartwork%2Funknown-relative&data=05%7C02%7Cmadgeyao%40ocadu.ca%7Cc3b2e51ee62e44b44c2208de62702bdb%7C06e469d12d2a468fae9b7df0968eb6d7%7C0%7C0%7C639056431132862542%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=Sj9brFz4E7cFqe8WHSS7XhTmrPLB3AvWRvuRmhVPNm8%3D&reserved=0")collage series delves into narrative memory and ancestral reverence to consider the complex realities of family migration and connection. From the islands of the Caribbean to the neighborhoods of Toronto, Sova uncovers the stories of migrant families in all their forms, especially those once hidden, unspoken, and stored away in hopes of a “better future.” ![The Unknown Relative collage series on table](/sites/default/files/2026-02/Ilene%201.jpg) ## Other Recent News [### 2027 Critical Distance Centre for Curators Projections Program Call for Artists OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (CEAD) and Critical Distance Centre for Curators (CDCC) have partnered to co-create CDCC Projections Program Career Launcher. Four (4) to five (5) selected emerging artists will receive $690 to exhibit work in a single channel, projection-based screening program that will be displayed at the CDCC in March 2027. October 30, 2026 ](/news/2027-critical-distance-centre-curators-projections-program-call-artists) [### OCAD U’s Global Centre for Climate Action and EU bring large-scale art to Toronto’s Canada Malting Silos The Light and Melting Temporalities transformed the waterfront into a canvas for climate reflection. October 6, 2026 ](/index%2Ephp/news/ocad-us-global-centre-climate-action-and-eu-bring-large-scale-art-torontos-canada-malting) [### Call for Project Participants: From Our Points of View Encounters with Artists A student-led year-long visiting artist project, under the mentorship of Governor General's Award winning artist Max Dean September 30, 2026 ](/news/call-project-participants-our-points-view-encounters-artists) Related Stories ## Related Stories [### Call for Project Participants: From Our Points of View Encounters with Artists A student-led year-long visiting artist project, under the mentorship of Governor General's Award winning artist Max Dean September 30, 2026 ](/news/call-project-participants-our-points-view-encounters-artists) [### OCAD U students gain hands-on experience in large-scale immersive art projections Students gained experience in animation, visual storytelling and projection mapping through their involvement in projections being shown during SILO NIGHTS at Public Pier. September 22, 2026 ](/news/ocad-u-students-gain-hands-experience-large-scale-immersive-art-projections) [### Call for Events, Exhibitions & Project Assistant On-campus job opportunity: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/mAgM0W3PVh September 18, 2026 ](/news/call-events-exhibitions-project-assistant)