Mark of a Nation

Composition 0802
2025
Wood panel, canvas, acrylic paint, ChromaLife100+ ink, paper, and postage stamps from the artist’s personal collections
31 inches diameter
Approximately 1,848  paper pieces 

The concentric circles of Mark of a Nation, Composition 0802 by Lesley Luce explore Canada’s evolving sovereignty through the lens of its postal iconography. This layered composition draws on stamps spanning from pre-Confederation to the present day, including symbols of Newfoundland’s early provincial identity, the iconic 3-Pence Beaver, the Bluenose schooner, Canada’s wartime production, parliamentary legacy, and cultural narratives. Other elements reference the British North America Act, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and the ongoing movement toward truth and reconciliation with Indigenous communities.

Together, these micro-artifacts form a visual portrait of how our nation continually changes its identity. The concentric format echoes the repeated use of stamps as markers of official record and national presence, while the layered imagery highlights the complexity of Canada’s past and present. 

From a distance, Mark of a Nation appears as a bold, harmonious abstraction. Up close, its intricate details reveal a dense archive of memory, resistance, and shifting symbolism. Through the precise placement of these paper fragments, the work invites viewers to reflect on the layered, evolving story of Canada’s independence.