Six New Art Stars Not to Be Missed at the Artist Project 2015
Show director Claire Taylor reveals six standouts from this year’s edition of the annual art fair
Now in its eighth year, the Artist Project gives new and seasoned collectors a chance to buy accessibly priced paintings, photographs, sculptures and other works directly from over 250 contemporary artists. For anyone not in the art market, the fair still serves as an incredible showcase of top Canadian and international talent. This year’s feature installations include Rocco, a 30-metre-long piece by local sculptor Bruno Billio, made out of thrift shop finds wrapped in coloured string. Also on site: Sony exhibits the works of Canadian finalists for the company’s 2015 World Photography Awards.
We talked with Artist Project director Claire Taylor (a former Associate Director of Corkin Gallery) to find out six artists not to be missed at this weekend’s show.
The Artist Project is on from February 19-22 at the Better Living Centre. A one-day adult ticket is $14.
The artist: Erin Armstrong, a Toronto painter
Where to find her work: Booth 423
Claire’s take: “Erin’s figurative works are vibrant, gestural and evocative. Although her paintings are of people in everyday situations, they are created in a surrealistic way. The quick and decisive pencil and charcoal markings over the colourful paint transport the viewer into a dream-like world.”
The artist: Ieva Baklane, a Vancouver painter
Where to find her work: Booth 216
Claire’s take: “Ieva’s works explore colour-blocking planes with bright, flat vibrancy. The expansiveness of the blue sky complements the colour combinations below. On these cold, grey February days, an artwork like this certainly allows one to dream of summer!”
The artist: Yang Cao, a Toronto painter
Where to find his work: Booth 324
Claire’s take: “Yang is an absolute expert painter of clouds and he uses the subject matter in a romantic and whimsical way. He is fascinated by human emotions, and yet conceals the face of his subjects with these floating entities. I like that there this an element of mystery.”
The artist: Anna Church, a Toronto photographer
Where to find her work: Booth 218
Claire’s take: “Anna photographs perfectly composed vignettes of objects. The works layered in meaning and incredibly beautiful. They’re also thought-provoking – you can’t help but reflect on your own associations with these objects and the personal memories they awaken.”
The artist: Iskuhi Avagyan, a Toronto painter
Where to find her work: Booth U-1
Claire’s take: “Iskuhi is part of the UNTAPPED Emerging Artists Competition at Artist Project this year. There’s something very classical and yet contemporary about these works: the juxtaposition of the nude monochromatic and contorted figures with the harsh, flat lines of the geometric forms. The colour choices are fresh and elegant.”
The Artist: Kal Mansur, a Toronto mixed media artist
Where to find his work: Booth 332
Claire’s take: “Kal specializes in complex acrylic/Plexiglass construction which bends and diffuses light in a magical way. On first glance, his works look like light boxes, since they literally glow from within. On closer inspection, we witness the perfect play of light, shadow, colour and levels of translucency.”
