{"id":57930,"date":"2026-04-12T18:06:38","date_gmt":"2026-04-12T22:06:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/artoronto.ca\/?p=57930"},"modified":"2026-04-12T18:17:35","modified_gmt":"2026-04-12T22:17:35","slug":"remembering-gwen-tooth-at-propeller-gallery","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/artoronto.ca\/?p=57930","title":{"rendered":"Remembering Gwen Tooth at Propeller Art Gallery"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Gwen Tooth’s talent lives on through the memorial exhibition Intangible Experiences<\/em>, which was curated by her creative community at Propeller Art Gallery. This exhibition showcases abstract art that honours Gwen\u2019s profound influence and vivacious spirit.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Gwen Tooth in front of her work at Propeller Art Gallery<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Installation view of Gwen Tooth, Intangible Experiences<\/em> at Propeller Art Gallery<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This was the case upon my first glance at Gwen Tooth\u2019s work, which consisted of Let Loose 16<\/em> and Self-portrait with Mother\u2019s Wedding Hat<\/em>, which were placed in the gallery\u2019s entrance hall. Further meditation on these works, as well as a meaningful chat with Tom Taylor, the gallery\u2019s director, exposed a profound artist whose paintings present an outward expression of her inner landscapes and her complex, bold approach to art and life.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Gwen Tooth, Let Loose 16<\/em>, acrylic on canvas, 24 x 24 x 1.5 inches<\/p>\n\n\n

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Gwen Tooth, Self-Portrait with Mother\u2019s Wedding Hat<\/em>, acrylic on canvas, 24 x 24 x 1.5 inches<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s life and work. Buckingham\u2019s A Moment In Time With Gwen<\/em>, a whimsical ink sketch of Gwen during a summer visit to Toronto\u2019s James Gardens, testifies to this visual impression of the late artist. In her piece\u2019s accompanying statement, Buckingham highlights that the point of the sketch piece was not to \u201ccreate a finished piece but to \u2018capture her essence\u2019”. Amidst the quiet beauty of nature, Gwen appears calm, focused, and present. Buckingham\u2019s work allows the viewer to learn about Gwen\u2019s work ethic and creative process, adding an intimate layer that bolsters appreciation of her work and persona.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Nancy Buckingham, A Moment in Time with Gwen<\/em>, ink on watercolor paper, 7 x 10 inches<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An Original (Just Like Gwen) <\/em>by Linds Miyo, a longtime friend and fellow artist, remembers Gwen Tooth\u2019s fearless use of colour and her encouragement to explore art as an adventure. This abstract reflection speaks to Gwen\u2019s impact on the local art scene. The artist\u2019s statement relates the story of a trivial chat, with Miyo claiming that it \u201crenewed my spirit and brought me back to myself in a way I can\u2019t even describe. Gwen had that effect on people. She was an original, and I\u2019m thrilled to submit this original for her show.\u201d I find that this piece particularly illustrates Tooth, as despite not having known her, but learning of her through the Gallery\u2019s content and Tom Taylor, one comes across a similar picture that is precise as it is wild \u2013 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\u2019s that Tom Taylor shared with me about her being in constant conversation with her canvas.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Linds Miyo, An Original (Just Like Gwen),<\/em> mixed media: chalkboard paint and acrylic on hand-stretched raw canvas, 28 x 18 inches<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking at Gwen Tooth\u2019s work, I am struck by the impression she leaves behind \u2013 a reminder of her observant, chameleon-like ability to express herself (as a comparison between Distant Fruit 16 <\/em>and Indian Ocean Variations #9 <\/em>makes) and authentic spirit, whose influence continues to resonate through her vibrant creations and the memories shared by those she touched.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Gwen Tooth, Distant Fruit 16,<\/em> acrylic on canvas, 12 x 12 x 1.5 inches<\/p>\n\n\n

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Gwen Tooth, Indian<\/em> Ocean Variations #9<\/em>, acrylic on canvas, 36 x 36 x 1.5 inches<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, the Intangible Experiences<\/em> 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\u2019s 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\u2019s legacy.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Installation view of Gwen Tooth, Intangible Experiences<\/em> at Propeller Art Gallery<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Antonella Pecora Ruiz<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Images are courtesy of Propeller Art Gallery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

*Exhibition information: Gwen Tooth, Intangible Experiences<\/em>, March 25 \u2013 April 12, 2026, Propeller Art Gallery, 30 Abell St, Toronto. Gallery hours: Wed \u2013 Sat, 1 \u2013 5:30pm, Sun 12 \u2013 4pm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

by Antonella Pecora Ruiz<\/strong>
\nThis exhibition showcases abstract art that honours Gwen Tooth’s profound influence and vivacious spirit.<\/p>\n

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