Gwen Tooth’s talent lives on through the memorial exhibition Intangible Experiences, which was curated by her creative community at Propeller Art Gallery. This exhibition showcases abstract art that honours Gwen’s profound influence and vivacious spirit.
Gwen Tooth in front of her work at Propeller Art Gallery
Gwen, active at Propeller from 2013 until her passing in 2025, was best known for her abstract paintings and the breadth of her expression. Her series often embodied her fascination with still-life subjects, landscapes, and the forces of nature. Her use of vivid colours and expressive brushstrokes transformed blank canvases into lively, intimate, and curious spaces, inviting the viewer to partake in these visual conversations.
Installation view of Gwen Tooth, Intangible Experiences at Propeller Art Gallery
This was the case upon my first glance at Gwen Tooth’s work, which consisted of Let Loose 16 and Self-portrait with Mother’s Wedding Hat, which were placed in the gallery’s entrance hall. Further meditation on these works, as well as a meaningful chat with Tom Taylor, the gallery’s director, exposed a profound artist whose paintings present an outward expression of her inner landscapes and her complex, bold approach to art and life.
Gwen Tooth, Let Loose 16, acrylic on canvas, 24 x 24 x 1.5 inches
Gwen Tooth, Self-Portrait with Mother’s Wedding Hat, acrylic on canvas, 24 x 24 x 1.5 inches
Through her own pieces and those created in tribute to her by her peers, it is clear that Tooth has left a lasting impression of serenity, adventure, and originality. Artists like Nancy Buckingham and Linds Miyo have also contributed to this celebration of Gwen’s life and work. Buckingham’s A Moment In Time With Gwen, a whimsical ink sketch of Gwen during a summer visit to Toronto’s James Gardens, testifies to this visual impression of the late artist. In her piece’s accompanying statement, Buckingham highlights that the point of the sketch piece was not to “create a finished piece but to ‘capture her essence’”. Amidst the quiet beauty of nature, Gwen appears calm, focused, and present. Buckingham’s work allows the viewer to learn about Gwen’s work ethic and creative process, adding an intimate layer that bolsters appreciation of her work and persona.
Nancy Buckingham, A Moment in Time with Gwen, ink on watercolor paper, 7 x 10 inches
An Original (Just Like Gwen) by Linds Miyo, a longtime friend and fellow artist, remembers Gwen Tooth’s fearless use of colour and her encouragement to explore art as an adventure. This abstract reflection speaks to Gwen’s impact on the local art scene. The artist’s statement relates the story of a trivial chat, with Miyo claiming that it “renewed my spirit and brought me back to myself in a way I can’t even describe. Gwen had that effect on people. She was an original, and I’m thrilled to submit this original for her show.” I find that this piece particularly illustrates Tooth, as despite not having known her, but learning of her through the Gallery’s content and Tom Taylor, one comes across a similar picture that is precise as it is wild – the bold colour, methodological blending and unrestricted geometric forms. The white space at the top makes me feel there is room to feel, think, and evolve, echoing a saying of Gwen’s that Tom Taylor shared with me about her being in constant conversation with her canvas.
Linds Miyo, An Original (Just Like Gwen), mixed media: chalkboard paint and acrylic on hand-stretched raw canvas, 28 x 18 inches
Looking at Gwen Tooth’s work, I am struck by the impression she leaves behind – a reminder of her observant, chameleon-like ability to express herself (as a comparison between Distant Fruit 16 and Indian Ocean Variations #9 makes) and authentic spirit, whose influence continues to resonate through her vibrant creations and the memories shared by those she touched.
Gwen Tooth, Distant Fruit 16, acrylic on canvas, 12 x 12 x 1.5 inches
Gwen Tooth, Indian Ocean Variations #9, acrylic on canvas, 36 x 36 x 1.5 inches
In addition, the Intangible Experiences also features a poignant memorial video, with clips from past exhibitions, glimpses of her family and peers, and her own voice, sharing her stories, passions, and essence with viewers. Furthermore, the community’s response was overwhelming, with Propeller receiving 177 submissions from 128 artists, each presenting emotional, visual and intellectual experiences through playful compositions of form, texture, colour, gesture, and line. These works are displayed both in-gallery and online, reflecting the diverse ways artists have connected with Tooth’s legacy.
Installation view of Gwen Tooth, Intangible Experiences at Propeller Art Gallery
Antonella Pecora Ruiz
Images are courtesy of Propeller Art Gallery.
*Exhibition information: Gwen Tooth, Intangible Experiences, March 25 – April 12, 2026, Propeller Art Gallery, 30 Abell St, Toronto. Gallery hours: Wed – Sat, 1 – 5:30pm, Sun 12 – 4pm.