New Royal Alberta Museum unveils historic Edmonton artwork

Politicians and the media got an early look at the new Royal Alberta Museum on Tuesday, but it was a piece of the past that resonated most withErnistine Tahedl.

She created mosaic panels in1965 that were installed on the wall of the Canada Post building, which used to occupy the site of the new museum. When the Canada Post building was demolished, the mosaic panels were saved and now sit outside the new museum on104th Avenue.

When Tahedl, 74,heard about the planned demolition,she thought her artwork might be destroyed.

"I lost a few commissions before and thought, 'Here we go again,' " said Tahedl. "Interestingly, I got an email from the historic department from the city of Edmonton asking if I was still alive."

Tahedlmoved to Montreal before the panels were ever placed inthe post office. More than five decades later,she came back to Edmontonto see them installed in their new location.

"It's terrific, particularly because I feel very strongly they have new life and they have a more vibrant placement than the previous commission," she said. "They're very prominent and somehow have more impact."

Tehedlemigrated from Vienna, Austria, not long before shestarted work on the mosaic. Shedidn't know a word of English, butsaid she had no trouble finding work as an artist. She said the city's first commercial art gallery opened around that time.

"Edmonton had just started to find its own. For an immigrant to have a pioneer spirit was unbelievably reassuring. It made me feel Canadian very quickly and I've never looked back. I'm very indebted to this city, and now again."

One of her favourite things about the mosaic is that it has aged so well. She noted how much things have changed in that part of downtown over the past 50 years.

"Ihate to say it,but it was not as vibrant as it is now," she said. "This was not the centre. It was the CN Rail and the post office. Everything that happened was further over. It's an amazing aspect that this is now a centre and a hub."

The panels are now on display outside the museum. The building will not be completed inside until late next year. The exhibits still have to be constructed and more than twomillion pieces will have to be moved from the former Royal Alberta Museum in Glenora.