Nova Scotia mulls fate of iconic photography collection

The Nova Scotia government is reviving hopes that a collection of iconic portraits by famed American photographer Annie Leibovitz could be displayed at the provincial gallery.

The influential works, including an introspective image of the Queen and a portrait of a pregnant Demi Moore, have been stuck in storage at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia in Halifax as a tax battle was waged in Ottawa.

A federal cultural board refused to grant the collection a stamp of cultural significance, withholding lucrative tax incentives to the art donor and, as a result, final payment to Leibovitz.

Culture and Heritage Minister Leo Glavine said the gallery has held ongoing discussions with the photographer’s team but there is “nothing definite.”

In remarks released Thursday by the province, Glavine said he thinks the fact that Leibovitz hasn’t been fully paid for her work remains a contentious issue.

However, he said the photographer is optimistic her collection could be exhibited in Nova Scotia.

“I think there is great opportunity,” Glavine said, noting that there is “immense potential to have her work on display at the art gallery.”

He added that it’s “not out of the question” that the province could consider helping the gallery pay the exhibition fee to showcase the compelling collection, though he said no request has come to government.

Nancy Noble, director and CEO of the gallery, said in an email that “negotiations of this nature are sensitive.”