Shortly following celebrating its 95th anniversary, the Canadian Sculpture Centre has a new exhibition called In Your Face, a striking array of sculptural works that encompasses the human spirit through both representational and abstract approaches. In accordance with its name, the exhibition demands our attention, encouraging us to observe, reflect and challenge our understanding of human existence.
Installation view of In Your Face. Photo: Tiffany Duong
The subtle facial expressions and gestures of Brett Davis’ bronze busts capture body language as an expression of emotions and a mode of communication. “Roman Head” depicts a man who looks directly at the viewer with a concerned gaze. “Pondering” shows a man who is contemplatively turned away, being “immersed in one thing and pondering a thought about another” (Davis). Although the figures are based around two different time periods—the Ancient Roman era and present-day modernity—their expressions transcend the constraints of time and place.
Brett Davis, Pondering, bronze
Daniel Yu’s abstract works further dissect emotions through their direct relation to action and decision. “Principal Fundamental III – Three Ages of Man” displays three weaving, rectangular forms, bending towards and being bonded to one another. As the figures stagger against each other, Yu visualizes conflicting thoughts and emotions resulting in negative behaviour and futile action.
Daniel Yu, Principle Fundamental III – Three Ages of Man, African Wonderstone
The title of J. Mac’s “Joan II” is a reference to Joan of Arc. Mac reflects on the patriarchal demands for women throughout history. The artist’s repurposing of the mannequin is symbolic. Mac highlights the strength required of women to fulfill their destinies both in the past and present day. Rope is usually interpreted as being used for restrict, but the artist uses rope as armor, glued to the mannequin like a knight’s headdress. Additionally, the figure’s confident pose suggests that she values herself despite the patriarchy’s desire to reduce her to an object.
J. Mac, Joan II, mixed-media
Art Dilella’s hyper-realistic silicone busts, “Anon II” and “Someone For Consideration,” respond to the technological achievements in our time. Dilella fuses the realism of early Western art practices with modern technologies and materials to manipulate reality, inviting viewers to question their perception. Paying excruciating detail to the imperfections of the human body—the silicone flesh is hand-painted with moles, freckles, and pores—each strand of hair has been carefully applied to the figures’ eyebrows, hair, and lashes. Dilella breathes absolute life into these figures who are, in truth, quite distant from reality, having been drawn from the artist’s imagination.
Art Dilella, Anon 2, silicone, hair, mixed-media
Marlene Kawalez’s portraits focus on the relationship between humans and the environment. Through the use of raku clay, a natural medium sourced directly from the earth, the artist emphasizes how humans are inseparable from the environment. The unpainted figure of “Silent Warrior” shows the random marks of the firing of the kiln. The burns on her shoulders, nape, and face show where the sun hits the body, whereas her serene expression seems to embrace the environment, regardless of its occasional harshness.
Marlene Kawalez, Silent Warrior, raku clay
The diverse faces and artistic approaches showcased in In Your Face engage us in a dialogue about what we know and think we know about humans: their nature, thoughts, emotions and interactions.
Tiffany Duong
Images are courtesy of the Canadian Sculpture Centre.
*Exhibition information: In Your Face, August 10 – September 26, 2024, Canadian Sculpture Centre, 95 Moatfield Drive, 5th Floor, North York. Gallery hours: Tue – Fri 12 – 5 pm.
I love these works of art especially J. Mac. and Marlene Kawalez.