Canadian Stories is a curious group exhibition of a dozen talented artists, each of them depicting a slice of Canadiana. The curator, Phil Anderson, chose work from an open call for submissions as well as asking artists from previous exhibitions hoping that they might have work that would fit this theme. It is a difficult task to put together an exhibition with such a variety of voices and to represent a nation with such a rich diversity as Canada. It is a very engaging show that made me want to see more.
Installation view of Canadian Stories
There are, of course, landscapes showing the appeal of Canadian scenery. In Joanne Shenfeld’s “Canadian Dream” we can see a chair on a cottage patio looking out over peaceful water. Margaret Kittel Canale has two photos printed on metal that depict abstract trees: “Colors in the Forest” and “Abstract Waters.”
Joanne Shenfeld, Canadian Dream I, mixed media
Margaret Kittel Canale, Abstract Waters, photo printed on metal
Bill Ward’s photos depict the Badlands in Alberta. Christine Marshall Smith’s two photographs, “Ethereal Remains” and “Ghostly Presence,” remind us of the relics from our past in a quietly solemn and beautiful way.
Bill Ward, Badlands in Alberta, black and white photograph
Christine Marshall Smith, Ghostly Presence, photograph
In their piece, Phil Taylor and Tim Gorewich show a Toronto cityscape of the CBC Headquarters on Wellington with Kids in the Hall in the background as well as a TTC view of the Yonge subway line.
Photographic work by Phil Taylor and Tim Gorewich
Environmental artist Kate Greenway participates with a landscape, “Toronto Waterfront” showing the Toronto skyline as seen from the Toronto Islands. It looks at first sight like a traditional painting but up close you notice that the skyline and the lake are made from recycled materials.
Kate Greenway. Toronto Waterfront, mixed media
Whitby artist and OCAD U grad Edmund Prior’s large painting, “Daytripper,” portrays a group of tourists canoeing in Algonquin Park. Hamed Morovati, a Canadian Iranian, describes the immigrant experience in his two abstract paintings. Anshul Sharman, another OCAD U student, has created a beautiful painting of the interior of his apartment during the COVID isolation entitled “Quarantine Nights.” Its darkness expresses the loneliness of those times.
Edmund Prior, Daytripper, oil on canvas
Anshul Sharman, Quarantine Nights, oil on canvas
A brighter series of portraits, includes Olympic Gold Medal swimmer Summer Mcintosh by architect and painter Mark Sterling, were refreshing among the land – and cityscapes. Sterling likes to acknowledge heroes through his portraiture.
Mark Sterling, Summer Mcintosh, watercolour on paper
Kuba Bryzgalski has several portraits in the exhibition of CBC personalities such as Stuart McLean, Randy Bachman and Tom Power. Bryzgalski, a skilled painter, and avid fan of CBC, really misses Stuart McLean (CBC radio’s The Vinyl Café), who was a legendary story teller, known for weaving stories with humour and sentiment.
Kuba Bryzgalski, Stuart McLean, oil on canvas
Barrie resident and painter Linda Laforge provided the show with three great works: a portrait of Buffy Saint Marie, a current portrait of David Suzuki and one titled “Pipeline to Nowhere” with Justin Trudeau riding a gushing oil pipeline. Laforge’s work addresses her concern about environmental issues.
Linda Laforge, Pipeline to Nowhere, oil on wood
In the Cell Gallery there is Canadian Korean artist Tai Kim’s solo show, Look Within (Daily Reflections) depicting wonderful Ontario and Toronto scenes as well as work that reflects her Korean roots. What could be more Canadian?
Tai Kim, High Park, oil on board
The Canadian Stories exhibit — even without addressing issues of residential indigenous schools, wildfires or the homeless in our cities — still reminds viewers like myself, of what makes us somewhat unique and resilient in a changing world. This group show touched on the surface of Canadian life and perhaps there will be other shows in the future to complete the picture.
Ashley Rowe Flick
Images are courtesy of Gallery 1313.
*Exhibition information: Canadian Stories / group show, July 17 – August 4, 2024, Gallery 1313, 1313 Queen St. West, Toronto. Gallery hours: Wed – Sat 1 – 5 pm, Sun 1 – 4 pm.