Exhibit: A Toronto Art History Lesson at the AGO!

AGO's Toronto: Tributes + Tributaries, 1971 - 1989 Exhibition Review

Philosopher George Santayana famously warned that "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." As I wandered through the AGO's Toronto: Tributes + Tributaries exhibit, Santayana's quote kept echoing through my mind. The exhibition gives visitors a glimpse into the gritty history of Toronto's art world from 1971 - 1989 and the emerging artists that pushed the boundaries of 'conventional art'.

Bear Portrait, No. 1, Culture Revolution, 1984 by Jeff Thomas

Displayed in the AGO's Contemporary Tower, more than 100 artists by 65 artists and collectives are brought together to fill the entire fourth floor exhibition space. Themes of social upheaval, political changes and marginalized people, that are reflected in the artwork are still as relevant today as they were during the 1970's and 80's.

Explore Toronto: Bathurst Station Gets Honest Ed-ified!

Honest Ed's Art Installation at TTC Bathurst Station Review

The building at the corner of Bloor and Bathurst Streets, covered in tacky bright lights and funny hand-painted signs, need no introduction - every Torontonian knows of the giant discount retail store Honest Ed's. Whether you love it or hate it, Honest Ed's has become a huge part of Toronto's landscape and found a place within the city's heart. The long lines to purchase one of the coveted hand-painted signs are a testament to how far people will go to get a piece of Honest Ed's.

As a tribute to the iconic landmark, the TTC has transformed Bathurst Station, into a 'Honest Ed's-style installation commemorating the retail store and its former owner Ed Mirvish, and the impact that they had on the community and the city of Toronto.

Exhibit: ROM's Chihuly is All Glory with No Guts!

ROM's Chihuly Exhibition Review

I frequently get asked why I love visiting art exhibits so much from people who think they have no understanding of art. My answer is always the same: It doesn't matter if you like or understand a piece of artwork, if it inspires conversation and dialogue and makes you see a different point of view or see something in a different light, it has accomplished it's goal. It is art and life would be so boring without it. I have been putting off visiting the ROM's latest giant exhibition, Chihuly, until I was ready.

Persian Trellis, 2016

The weather had turned gloomy and the skies grey in Toronto over the past few weeks, so I figured it was time for an art pick-me-up. Last week, I braced myself against the cold wind downtown Toronto and made my way to the ROM. It was exactly what I needed that cold Monday afternoon: bright, beautiful, uplifting, and superficial.

Exhibit: Transforming Art!

Gladstone Hotel's Hard Twist 11: Spin Exhibition Review

My life's path has morphed and transformed to something new and has taken a spin in a totally different direction then I originally planned. So I felt a strong affinity for Gladstone's Hotel newest textile art exhibition aptly named Hard Twist 11: Spin. Now in it's 11th installment, Hard Twist is one of my favourite annual exhibitions at Gladstone Hotel (I have written reviews for Hard Twist 8, Hard Twist 9 and Hard Twist 10).

Hairdress by Annabel Berthoff

One of the Gladstone Hotel's signature events, Hard Twist displays textile art, in its many forms, from a variety of established and up-and-coming artists, each with their own interpretation each year's theme. Spin is this years theme: "to spin is to transform. Whether it’s turning a fleece into yarn for a cozy sweater or rotating a dubious fact through angles of truth, spinning changes what you started with into something very different."

Exhibit: Playdead!

Stu Dead's Playdead 906 Exhibition Review

I can't think of a better way to celebrate Halloween than visiting Nuvango Gallery's newest art exhibit Playdead 906 by local Toronto artist Stu Dead. You may have seen Stu's artwork throughout the city, including the walls of The (soon to be closing) Hideout bar on Queen Street West and his retail store Playdead Cult, which has moved a few times over the years but now resides in Parkdale.

Stu Dead is a self-taught artist that has been creating art for over 25 years and counts Spanish Culture (including The Day of The Dead), music, and beautiful women among his inspirations.

Exhibits: That's So Gay & 10x10 Photography Project Returns To Gladstone Hotel!

That's So Gay: Come Together & 10x10 Photography Project Exhibition Review

Gladstone Hotel once again hosts their two annual LGBTQ themed art exhibitions - That's So Gay and 10x10 Photography Project, which run throughout Pride Toronto celebrations. And once again, both exhibits have impressed me with their unique and beautiful artwork.

10x10 Photography Project: Taken by Richard Rhyme

Every year, That's So Gay "explores themes around sexuality, gender and identity as they intersect with experiences of race, disability, class and multiple identities". This year's theme 'Come Together' refers to many things: the multiple atrocities against the LGBTTI2QQ communities, the rise of activism, and the need for artists to creatively band together and help further the engagement and activism.

Exhibit: Exploring the World of Tattoos at The ROM!

ROM's Tattoos: Ritual. Identity. Obsession. Art. Exhibition Review

Much to my parent's dismay, I have had a love affair with tattoos ever since I was a child. I've always wanted one and got my first tattoo at 16 years old, when not many girls had tattoos. It was a cherub on the inside of my left ankle and I got it done in a friend of a friend's basement. It turned out much larger than I initially thought it would be and hid it from my parents for as long as I could, until summer came and there was no hiding it anymore. My parents were of course angry, but accepted it and were much cooler than I thought they would be. Since then I got inked six more times (more if I could afford it:), but I still love my first one. So when I first heard about the Tattoos exhibit at the ROM, I was so excited to learn more about this world I entered naively at the tender age of 16 and couldn't wait to visit it.

I finally got chance to visit the exhibit recently and I absolutely loved it.

Exhibit: Extraordinary Everyday by Jake Sherman!

CONTACT Photography Festival: I'm New Here by Jake Sherman Exhibition Review

I love the month of May in Toronto. Not only does the weather (usually) become warmer but festivals both large and small start popping up all over the city, including the Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival, which runs for the whole month of May! I try to go several CONTACT exhibits every year and 2016 is no exception.

Ossington

A few weeks ago I was privileged to attend the opening reception of Toronto photographer Jake Sherman's photography exhibit, I'm New Here, at the new Nuvango Gallery on Queen Street West.

Exhibit: Getting Wild at Gladstone Hotel!

Gladstone Hotel's Urban Wild Exhibition Review

I love the Gladstone Hotel. I've never actually stayed there overnight, but I am constantly visiting their amazing art exhibitions and fabulous events. A few weeks ago, I visited the Gladstone Hotel to see the Tim Burton Group Show Tribute in the 2nd Floor Gallery. While I was there, I also got the chance to see the Urban Wild exhibit in the 4th Floor Gallery.

It is always great to wander the halls of the Gladstone and enjoy some amazing, and usually free, art.

Exhibit: My Tim Burton Fix!

Gladstone Hotel's Tim Burton Group Show Tribute Exhibition Review

Like many, I tend to feel my regular daily routine is a little static after an amazing trip. I have been feeling a little lack-lustre since I got back from South America over a month ago. And when I get like this, a Tim Burton movie marathon can be the only cure. The fantastical films are so amazing that they can add a little pep in my step after watching them. But instead of wasting away in front of the T.V. on Sunday, I braved the cold weather and made my way to The Gladstone Hotel to get my Tim Burton fix at the free Tim Burton: A Group Show Tribute exhibition.

Edward & Kim by Marion Manzo

And my world feels complete once again.

Exhibit: The Outsiders!

AGO's Outsiders: American Photography and Film, 1950s - 1980s Exhibition Review

People watching is one of my favourite past times, I think it's all the traveling I did when I was younger. I used to sit in the middle of a foreign city, grab a coffee and just watch the locals going about their daily lives and making up stories in my head about them (since I usually couldn't understand a single word they were saying:) Coming up with stories for your fellow passengers is also a great way to pass the time when waiting for yet another short turned streetcar here in Toronto. I think that's why I loved Outsiders: American Photography and Film 1950s -1980s so much.

Danny Lyon, Cal, Elkhorn, Wisconsin, 1966. Gelatin silver print, 40.6 × 50.8 cm (sheet). Promised gift, James Lahey and Brian Lahey, in honour of our mother Ellen Lahey. © 2015 Danny Lyon/Magnum Photos

The AGO has been celebrating The Year of Photography with special exhibitions and featured events since last summer. The celebration comes to a close soon but before it does, the AGO has two more photography exhibitions to show, including Outsiders, the largest photo exhibition since the AGO reopened in 2008.

Exhibit: Bold & Timely!

The Power Plant Gallery's Winter Exhibitions Review

Even though winter has finally ended, The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery is still running their winter exhibitions, which opened just before I left on vacation almost two months ago. And finally, I get to share my review about the bold four exhibitions that are on now.

Patrick Bernatchez: Les Temps inachevés

Three of the four exhibits are new and all use a variety of media in their installations.

Exhibit: Visiting Heaven & Hell!

Kofflery Gallery's Howard Podeswa: A Brief History Exhibition Review

Since I've been back home in Toronto, I have been trying to fit in all the art exhibits that started just before or during my vacation, which has been hard. But I finally got the chance to visit Koffler Gallery's Howard Podeswa: A Brief History, which was near the top of my must-see art exhibits.

A Study of Hell, 2013

I'm so glad I found the time to visit this amazing exhibit before it closes near the end of the month.

Exhibit: Poetry at Toronto's Beaches!

Winter Stations Design Competition 2016 Winners Exhibition Review

It's been hard trying to get back to my daily life in Toronto, not only because I miss the excitement of travel, but I miss the summer heat of South America, and my tan is fading fast here in Toronto. So I decided to beat the winter blues by visiting Toronto's beaches in the east end and the Winter Stations Art Installations that have transformed the abandoned lifeguard stations along Kew, Balmy and Woodbine beaches into stunning works of art.

Flow by Calvin Fung and Victor Huynh

Seven winning designs of the Second Annual Winter Stations Design Competition has brought some much needed heat and beauty to both the desolate Toronto Beaches and for at least for a little while, chased my post travel winter blues away.

Exhibit: Getting Lost in Song Dong's World at the AGO!

AGO's Song Dongs's Communal Courtyard Installation Review

A few weeks ago I got to preview the AGO's newest exhibit Song Dong's Communal Courtyard. It's an interesting interactive exhibit that I truly lost myself in.

Visitors are asked to wander through 100 vintage wardrobe doors, peeking through windows to see what's inside.

Exhibit: Deliberately Ambiguous!

Harbourfront Centre's Winter/Spring 2016 Exhibitions: Deliberately Ambiguous Exhibition Review

A few weekends ago a friend and I made the trek down to the Harbourfront Centre to visit their Winter/Spring 2016 Visual Arts Exhibitions called Deliberately Ambiguous. It was an interesting afternoon and both my friend and I enjoyed the unique art.

Pages from my notebook (2016) by Marissa Alexander from Non-Objective

Five separate exhibits make up this large contemporary art exhibition by artists with, what I found, had an 'anything goes' motto and are: "highly aware and engaged in contemporary culture, these artists embrace it all." 

Exhibit: Lyn Carter Earns Her Stripes!

Textile Museum of Canada's Lyn Carter: 11th Line & Home Economics Exhibitions Review

I haven't been to The Textile Museum of Canada in a while, so I was glad I took the time out of my busy pre-vacation schedule to go visit Lyn Carter: 11th Line. This unique exhibition is part of  the Toronto Offsite Design Festival that took place last weekend, as was Come Up To My Room, which ended on Sunday.

Field, 2015

The exhibition title 11th Line comes from the name of her rural Ontario address where she lives and works, which is explored in her pieces.

Exhibit: Lucky 13 for CUTMR!

Gladstone Hotel's Come Up To My Room 2016 Art & Design Event Review

Last night I was thrilled to attend Gladstone Hotel's Come Up To My Room (CUTMR) media opening reception. CUTMR is one of my favourite annual art exhibition events at one of my favourite places in Toronto.

Life Moves Fast (Ferris Bueller's Bedroom) by The Racket Club

I'm always excited to see the new and unique ways artists and designers have transformed the Gladstone Hotel's rooms, hallways and open spaces. And I certainly wasn't disappointed this year.

Exhibit: ¡Viva Mexico!

The ROM's ¡Viva Mexico! Clothing and Culture Exhibition Review

Mexico has taken over the Patrica Harris Gallery of Textiles and Costumes at The ROM to bring Toronto a stunning in-depth look at the country's amazing textiles. ¡Viva Mexico! Clothing and Culture is a vibrant and dynamic textile exhibition that is one of the largest in the world with many textiles never having been displayed before.

Tehuana Gala Ensembles

¡Viva Mexico! showcases over 150 historic and contemporary textiles, telling the rich story of Mexican culture that spans centuries reflecting both it's indigenous and colonial past. Highlights include complete costume ensembles, rebozos (women's shawls), sarapes (men's out garments or the Torontoian's picnic blanket), as well as some exquisite bead work and embroidery.

Exhibit: Painting Set Free!

AGO's J.M.W. Turner Exhibition Review

A few weeks ago, I finally had some free time and enjoyed some much needed art therapy at The AGO and visited the large J.M.W.Turner: Painting Set Free exhibition. The (mostly) solo exhibition explores Turner's mature works of the last 15 years of his long and illustrious career.

Light and Colour (Goethe's Theory)- The Morning after the Deluge - Moses Writing The Book of Genesis, exhibited 1843

Featuring more than 50 painting and works from Tate Britain, I enjoyed my journey through Turner's late experimental years and got to know the artist a little more.