Opening Reception: September 19, 2013, 7 p.m.
Gallery 1313 Main Gallery
1313 Queen Street West, Toronto
The Gallery 1313 Members Group started in 1994 as the Parkdale Village Arts Collective and now the group boosts 55 member artists from across the GTA and beyond. They hold at least one collective exhibition a year and throughout the year display their work in the members gallery. The Members Exhibition titled 13 had 22 member artists display recent art works in what turned out to be an eclectic exhibition that was pleasing as it was diverse.
Michelle Montague with Movement
Jerome McNicholl with his mixed media work, Untitled
Imre Hajagos with his painting, Duet
Kim Stanford’s sculpture titled I ‘ve Hit a Snag In my Self Realization was a good piece to have centred on the gallery floor. According to the artist the referencing of household materials (steel wool and thread), processes (monotonous braiding and stitchery) and subjects (humble rag-rug and braided hair) invoke menial, likely female, drudgery. Yet the carpet itself refuses to behave as expected, pulling apart, snagging, bulging, and growing in unpredictable and impractical ways. However, the absurdity of a familiar yet prickly (and hence unusable) carpet with “Suessian” form injects humour into this seeming domestic dance with madness.
Kim Stanford and her sculptural work, I ‘ve Hit a Snag In my Self Realization
John Ferri’s photo based work with people seated on park benches was meticulous in detail and equally pleasing. Evan Steenson’s Pendulum needed close inspection to appreciate the fine detail of this inkjet print on dibond. Gwen Tooth’s powerful abstract painting Post Tsunami No 1 was striking. Another favourite was Janice Ykema’s painting, Waiting an anxious group of dogs waiting for their owners.
John Ferri’s people enjoy a sunny afternoon
Janice Ykema, Waiting
Gwen Tooth in front of her painting, Post Tsunami No 1
Photographer Margaret Irving said about her favourite piece, “Paul Brandejs’s abstract work “waiting…going…gone” of photography via giclee on canvas embellished with acrylic and sawdust stretched on sculpted frames. This group of three artworks evokes in this viewer a haunting feeling of a dream unfolding or perhaps a nightmare with it’s splash of red. Whether dream or nightmare they are well crafted, unique, thought provoking and impressive.”
Paul Brandejs and his abstract work “waiting…going…gone”
Retro-Spective in the Process Gallery was a collection of strong and vibrant paintings by new member Donna Sved. In the Cell Gallery, painter Christine Bunn‘s works were more subdued but equally pleasing.
Visitors, artists and friends all enjoyed the exhibition and comparing the works and choosing a favourite.
The exhibition is open: September 18 – 29, 2013, Gallery 1313, 1313 Queen Street West, Toronto. Gallery hours: Wed – Sun 1 – 6 p.m.
Text: Phil Anderson. Photo: Margaret Irving