Special Permit Class

"Behind the Lines" series by Bill Horne - Artist's Statement

"Special Permit Class"
front & rear views
silkscreen on pig gut and canvas with church pew parts and reclaimed fir.
Letter from the Minister of State concerning the refusal of the Canadian government to admit entry to Jewish refugees aboard the S.S. St. Louis in 1939. The majority of passengers ended up in concentration camps.
Click images for larger versions.

According to “Open Hearts, Closed Doors” – Canadian Immigration Review, “The Special Permit Class was comprised of southern Europeans and Jews, who had to get special cabinet permission to immigrate. In 1923, immigration policies were tightened up to severely limit the admission of these non-preferred immigrants, especially Jews. Canada’s doors remained effectively closed
to Jews until after the war.”

Photo of passsengers on the S.S. St. Louis reproduced
with permission of the US Holocaust Museum.
The views or opinions expressed in this artwork, and the context in which the photograph is used, do not necessarily reflect the views or policy of, nor imply approval or endorsement by, the United States Holocaust Museum.

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Title Map for "Behind the Lines"

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All copyrights to the artworks appearing are reserved by the Artist. No unauthorized duplication, public exhibition or performance is permitted. Distribution of the artworks through any means including electronic, is strictly prohibited without prior written permission.