I’ve decided to put together two exhibits that are on at the moment in one blog post. The first is ‘Same Dream’ by Omar Ba at the Power Plant Gallery and the second is ‘Reflections of Love’ by a group of photographers next door at one of the Harbourfront galleries The two exhibits don’t have a lot in common except the close proximity of the two galleries and the fact that I saw them on the same afternoon last week.
First, Omar Ba was born in 1977 in Dakar Senegal. He studied art in Dakar and then in Geneva where he now spends part of his time.
below: The large work in the middle of the gallery was painted in place. That is Jesus on the cross. The center figure has the word”Horus” painted beside it. Horus was an Egyptian God who was usually depicted with a falcon’s head on a human body. The painting depicts “a recurrent motif of birth, death and reincarnation across different cultures today” according to the description of the exhibit on Power Plant’s website .
below: ‘Naufrage’ 2014. Dictators, despots, and authority figures can be seen in many of his paintings, often mixed in with scenes of plants and/or animals.
below: Similar to the one above, except hear the plants are based on fairly realistic human hearts with black aortas and yellow blood vessels.
below: Ba’s paintings are full of small details as can be seen in this close-up of part of ‘Autopsie de nos consciences 2’, 2018. Name the flags?
below: More details but from a different painting.
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‘Reflections of Love’ is a photography exhibit on at Harbourfront for the month of February that features the work of five artists.
As you enter the gallery, the words on the wall say, “In honor of Black History Month, this thoughtful photography exhibit explores the many forms of love found within our black communities through reflections of self, identity and acceptance. Power within vulnerability and healing can only come through togetherness and conversation. This is a true celebration of exemplified strength in people with deep roots and heritage.”
below: On the back wall, a series of images by Stella Fakiyesi. Fakiyesi was born in Nigeria and raised in Toronto.
below: Photo by Sean Brown
below: Photo by Jah Grey
below: Two photographs by Quil Lemons
below: A closer look at the one on the right shows a wonderful tangle of three girls.
below: Three portraits by Yannick Anton
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Happy Valentines Day!
as I walk Toronto 