Here are some of the photography works I loved at Art Toronto 2015. I enjoyed Bau-Xi gallery‘s fantastic selection of works and artists. There were a lot of great pieces that you can view here on Artsy’s coverage of the fair.
Katrin Korfmann, Ibi
Katrin Korfmann, Homo Ludens 42
Joshua Jensen-Nagle, Bathing in Bliss, 2015
Ned Pratt, Connaigre Peninsula, 2015
Milagros de la Torre, Imprint 2010
Cara Barer, Harajuku, 2015
Nadia Myre, Orison #4, 2014
I started my tour of Art Toronto 2015 quite enthusiastically and energetically, determined to document everything that caught my eye and liked and make a visual archive for myself. But of-course that was quite an ambitious task to sift through over thousands of works on display. There was lots to see and to admire. I was excited to see original Damien Hirst print editions or it’s better to say seeing a Hirst’s work in person for the first time was exciting. I love dots and I can’t get enough of these spots. I “wish” to own a print one day! I also spotted a small Banksy piece somewhere but I forgot which gallery it was. The most original new work for me was DaveandJenn at TrépanierBaer Gallery. The works are detailed paintings/collages within multiple layers of resin and they weave together a vivid,colorful and surreal world. Their instagram captures some essence of their work but seeing in person is a completely different experience. ( I have a picture below but it doesn’t do the work justice! )
Another memorable, brilliant piece that drew me back a few times was from the Cluster Fuck series of Ken Nicol at Olga Korper Gallery (That gallery had the best selection of works in my opinion.) The image below is not the one that was displayed, that piece according to this video contained 200,054 fucks meticulously and beautifully handwritten in a mesmerizing, complex grid.
Arsty has a great coverage of the fair for reference and it is a great archive.
Here are the my most favourite works of the fair.
Ken Nicol, cluster fuck cluster fuck 36,000: homage to the fuckin’ square, 2015 ink on paper
Joachim Bandau, 14-09-2011, 2011, watercolour on paper, 30 x 22 inches
Bernar Venet, Two Indeterminate lines, 2014
Alberto Casari, Untitled, 2014, Wool, paint on cotton paper
Alberto Casari, EM.SB.13.05, 2013, Fieltro teñido calado y madera
Claude Tousignant, étude 1969, 1971
Damien Hirst, Diacetoxyscirpenol, 2006
Damien Hirst, Ethylamine, 2011
Amanda Valdez, dream your face off, 2015
Amanda Valdez, Mirador, Embroidery, fabric, gouache, acrylic and canvas, 2015
Bruce McLean, Garden with red, 2014, Monoprint with collage and hand colour
DaveandJenn, Thin Skin/Thick Hide, 2015
It is happening now – The Artist Project. It is one of my favourite art fairs for independent artists in the city. I participated two years in a row. This year I have been focusing on developing a new body of work as well as this new website so I missed being part of the hype and excitmenet of the fair.
Today I went as a visitor and had the luxury of time to take in the show in its true essence. I was pleasantly surprised how little I knew about the diversity and breath of works that the show presents. I guess once you are exhibiting yourself, there is not much chance to go and see everything. I was inspired and pumped up by all ways of seeing and views. I also experimented with a new way of observing. Instead of looking through an artist eye, I decided to play a wannabe art collector. What would I buy for my private collection from local artists? Turns out quite a lot! I could literally have most of the Untapped Emerging Artists works, Joani Tremblay and Alea Drain were my most favourite. Since I can’t afford to be a real collector (yet), I made this virtual collection on Pinterest for the time being. And below are my top three picks.
1. Comox Series One #19 by Kelly Rogers
I fell madly in love with this piece! The image is great but you really have to see it close-up! The raw canvas is absolutely captivating and the dynamic lines draw you in. More than anything I loved those subtle drips. I usually like detailed work that I can get back to it over and over and this is minimalistic for me but I could look at it for hours.
2. from In a Quiet Light series by Lulu Ladrón de Guevara
No wonder Lulu’s work is the chosen image of the Fair this year. I want to touch this work and have it above my desk on gloomy winter days to lift my spirit up. It is mysterious yet innocent. She has also applied a very smart and innovative technique.
3. The Whale As A Bubble by Alea Drain
Whales, bubbles, ocean, blue, whimsical, detailed, patterns …what’s not to like about this piece!
Yves Zurstrassen