Posts Tagged ‘portraits’

nuns and weddings…

Posted: June 15, 2025 in galleries
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… and a few things more from TMU Image Centre exhibits.

First, the main gallery of the Image Centre is showing a collection of the work of Clara Gutsche, winner of the 2024 ScotiabankCONTACT Photography award.  One of her series features photos of Quebec nuns, “The Convent Series”, taken before 1999.   Hence “nuns” in my title –   The “weddings” in the title comes from another exhibit here – a collection of portraits of brides and grooms over the years.

a woman looks at framed photographs on a gallery wall, TMU Image Centre gallery, Clara Gutsche show

black and white photo from convent series by clara gutsche, nun with painting, on display at TMU Image Centre

framed black and white photo from convent series by clara gutsche, nuns in black and white habits lined up in a hallway

framed black and white photo from convent series by clara gutsche, nuns outside hitting tennis balls with tennis racquets, against a wall

framed colour photo from convent series by clara gutsche, nuns in red playing croquet outside

There are other series of her work also on view including some taken inside a Catholic high school.

4 framedcolour photos on a gallery wall, all are interior shots of a catholic high school

girls sitting at desks in a school by clara gutsche

This is only a small sample of Gutsche’s work.  You can see more at the Image Centre until 2nd August 2025 – The originals look better than my copies!!

 

Let’s move on to the happy couples….

“Something Old; Something New – The Wedding Photography Collection of Stephen Bulger and Catherine Lash” is  the full title of the exhibit.  The title says it all.  The exhibit gives a glimpse into the history of photography and the techniques used to produce images.  It also takes a look at a sliver of social history… especially with respect to clothing styles.  All the photos were donated to the Image Centre by Bulger and Lash in 2023.

photo of a wedding party, from Something Old Something New, a collection of wedding photos over the years, collected by Stephen Bulger and Catherine Lash, and then donated to the TMU Image Centre

photo by Karl Speiss, 1855, black and white, of a bride and groom, from Something Old Something New, a collection of wedding photos over the years, collected by Stephen Bulger and Catherine Lash, and then donated to the TMU Image Centre

portrait of bride and groom in a fancy oval frame, from Something Old Something New, a collection of wedding photos over the years, collected by Stephen Bulger and Catherine Lash, and then donated to the TMU Image Centre

bride and groom portrait, old, on red carpet, man with top hat,

on a gallery wall, image of bride and groom, from Something Old Something New, a collection of wedding photos over the years, collected by Stephen Bulger and Catherine Lash, and then donated to the TMU Image Centre

from Something Old Something New, a collection of wedding photos over the years, collected by Stephen Bulger and Catherine Lash, and then donated to the TMU Image Centre

bride and groom, bride with head covering typical of roaring 20's

below: “Meilleurs Vaux pour votre Bonheur”, 5th of Jan, 1910

French postcard made with image of bride and groom portrait, Meilleurs Vaux pour votre Bonhour, 1910, with green 5 cent stamp

from Something Old Something New, a collection of wedding photos over the years, collected by Stephen Bulger and Catherine Lash, and then donated to the TMU Image Centre

from Something Old Something New, a collection of wedding photos over the years, collected by Stephen Bulger and Catherine Lash, and then donated to the TMU Image Centre. Groom in a top hat, bride in a white coat with many small buttons, and a high collar

Unfortunately the exhibit has ended.

 

Dew Lang Lane and area

Posted: May 18, 2025 in alleys, graffiti and street art, locations
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Back in 2012, the city approved the naming of an alley… Dew Lang Lane.  You can find this lane just north of the Danforth near Donlands.  Prior to the legal change,  “Dew Lang” had been used as the unofficial name by local residents.  The name comes from parts of the two streets Dewhurst (Dew) and Langford (Lang) that the lane runs between.

a man walks through an alley, and parking lot

below: Omen514’s fist bump

mural of a fist bump on a garage, with a basketball hoop above it, alley,

below: “Turn the lights off and look to the sky”  by Jerry Rugg (aka Birdo) & Wales.

mural in alley,woman wearing sunglasses, text that says

alley scene, 2 murals, a wood fence, and the back of a brick house

below: Spud1 left his mark here along with the advice, “Live, Love, Paint”.

spud mural on a garage in an alley, with text, live, love, paint,

below: Signs of spring that can’t be held back

lilac bush over the top of a wood fence in a lane, full of pink blossoms, peak bloom

ivy covered pole and wires, no parking sign partially covered with vines too

truck parked in a lane, unloading from the back, lane has very tall tree, some fences and garages too,

below: In a very tight spot but bursting out.

a mature tree with large tree trunk wedged between the sides of two garages

below:  One of the latest trends in urban living is the laneway house.   They are popping up all over the place and this area is no exception.

black box shaped house, new infill housing in an alley

below: Another trend, this one in home renovations, is building upwards.  Adding a third floor or a rooftop deck is now common (and is often more noticeable from the back).

newly renovated house as seen from the alley behind, big new windows, and a new upper level

below: The repurposing of church buildings is another trend (albeit a bit older than the above two).  In this case, Temple Baptist Church, opened 1925, is now residential.   A small plaque in one corner of the building serves as a reminder of its original function.  From the application for heritage status for the building:  “Temple Baptist Church is a fine example of a revival of the Georgian Classical Style adapted for Post-Reformation churches in 18th century England.”  Not many Toronto churches were built in this style.

Temple Baptist Church, now condos

below: The central window with its leaded coloured glass and Credit Valley stone trim around the windows.

central window, with leaded coloured glass, of the old Temple Baptist Church, now condos, brick building from 1925.

old brick wall in alley, covered with graffiti in bright colours, yellow, blue and green

mural of a man bending down, lower part has been covered with a tag
two garage doors with urban art, on right is a strange looking woman with her tongue partially stuck out
mural in an alley, girl with pearl necklace and white wings

below: A beckoning summer scene, Muskoka chairs on the dock.  Have a seat and watch the sunlight play on the water.

mural of two muskoka chairs on a dock by the lake

below: Old black line drawings on old white garage.

black line drawings on old white garage
close up of black line drawing graffiti on white garage, with green vine growing over it

looking through chainlink fence to vacant lot with remains of construction site on it

looking through chainlink fence to construction site with wheelbarrow as well as black and orange cones, orange plastic rolled up

below: The new west entrance to Donlands subway station opens onto Dewhurst.

entrance to Donlands subway station, low brown building with glass front and sides

below: Inside

interior of new west entrance to Donlands subway station, white walls, wood accents, a window

interior of new west entrance to Donlands station, from landing in stairwell between street level and subway level, two women walking

sticker graffiti on a pole, a faded blue robot and a pink pigeon head

below: A second pigeon…. this one wear a cheerful bright red cap as he struts around

sticker graffiti on rusted metal, a pigeon wearing a bright red cap, standing,

stylized orange flower petals on a red wall, mural, around a window,

all about Murray

Posted: March 16, 2025 in galleries
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This past week there was an exhibit at Gallery 1313 that paid tribute to Murray McKay.  Murray started modeling for college level life drawing classes in the 1990s.  Between then and his passing in 2024, he had a large impact on Toronto’s art community.  More than forty artists contributed their drawings or paintings of Murray to the exhibit which was simply titled “Murray”.

three brightly coloured paintings, on gallery wall, gallery 1313, all three are portraits

Gallery 1313 Murray McKay tribute exhibition

Gallery 1313 Murray McKay tribute exhibition

Gallery 1313 Murray McKay tribute exhibition

Gallery 1313 Murray McKay tribute exhibition

Gallery 1313 Murray McKay tribute exhibition

Gallery 1313 Murray McKay tribute exhibition

Gallery 1313 Murray McKay tribute exhibition

Gallery 1313 Murray McKay tribute exhibition

Gallery 1313 Murray McKay tribute exhibition

This exhibit was only on between 5th and 16th March (now ended)

it’s Cultural

Posted: January 29, 2025 in galleries
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  “The Culture: Hip Hop and Contemporary Art in the 21st Century” is now showing at the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO).  It features 90 works by more than 60 artists.  Some of them are shown here…. 

below: Portrait of a day when 103 of members of the Toronto Hip Hop community got together in one place, August 2024.  The photo was taken on the steps of the Liberty Grand at Exhibition Place by photographer Patrick Nichols.

black and white group shot of a lot of people on outdoor steps, 103 people associated with hip hop in toronto, on the steps of the Liberty Grand Entertainment place

This exhibit has also been seen in Baltimore and St. Louis.

“Placing fashion, consumer marketing, music, videos and objects in dialogue with paintings, sculpture, poetry, photography and multi-media installations, the exhibition considers activism and racial identity, notions of bling and swagger, as well as gender, sexuality and feminism.”

a woman looking at pictures at the Art Gallery of Ontario

below: Painting by Zeh Palito,a Brazilian artist who seems to like pink.  Title: “It was all a Dream”.

painting by Zeh Palito in Art Gallery, black woman,

below: Cardi B., aka Belcalis Marlenis Cephus, with unity on her arm by Hassan Hajjaj.  She is considered one of contemporary music’s top female artists.

portrait of Cardi B by Hassan Hajjaj

below: “Live Culture Force 1’s”, 2022, by Aaron Fowler. They are gigantic Nike Air Force 1 sneakers that have been made out of car parts.  Contemporary art seems to like big things – Once upon a time back in 1960s there was a giant hamburger on display at the AGO.  I wonder if the creator of that hamburger, Claes Oldenburg,  realized what he started (and whatever happened to it anyhow?).  Tangent alert – The AGO purchased the hamburger in 1967 for $2000.

sculpture that is a large pair of white running shoes made of car parts.

below: “Swamp Boy” by Amani Lewis

painting on a gallery wall by Amani Lewis

below: “Real Negus Don’t Die” by Fahamu Pecou.  Reflects on the idea that death can’t stop us and perhaps touches on  the idea that immortality comes through remembrance.

artwork in graphite and acrylic paint of a man with a t-shirt with portrait of a black man and text that says real negus don't die

below: “The Minister of Enterprise” by Kudzanai Chiurai.  Oversized shades indoors, a big cigar, and some bling.  Add some swagger.

portrait of a black man all blinged out

below: I made a mistake with this room.  I initially thought, what a waste, a whole room for a red puffy jacket.  Turns it, it’s a godsend for instagram ready selfies.  Lots of room, mirrors behind the jacket, and presto…  many, many pictures on Instagram and TikTok.  I should have taken the time to wait for people to get in my way!

a mannequin with a red puffy jacket on a pedestal in a niche in a yellow room, mirrors behind the jacket

below: “Louis Uluru”, 2009, by Luis Gispert.  Looking at Uluru (formerly Ayers Rock, in Australia), from the comfort of a very well-appointed car.

below: Hanging from the ceiling, a collection of  one glittery pair of Adidas sneakers and many brown work boots, some sparkly with glitter and some not.  Bejewelled kicks.  “Cloud Break”, a sculpture by Devan Shimoyama

a collection of sneakers and work boots strung together on a chain and hanging from the ceiling, in an art gallery, also some artificial flowers stuck into the boots.

Exhibit continues until April 2025.

skateboard portraits

Posted: January 22, 2025 in general Toronto
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Graffiti Alley is still an interesting place to explore.  Unlike some street art locations that have succumbed to the scrawls and tags of the less well-intentioned, good art and ideas can still be found here.  At present, adding to the eclectic nature of the graffiti in Graffiti Alley are a few interesting portraits done on half skateboards (or at least on wood in the shape of a skateboard).  All are screwed onto wooden utility poles.

below: One on natural wood colour and the other in vibrant red.  The sticker says Positive Creations.

two men's portraits painted each on half of a skateboard, attached to a pole in graffiti alley. one is black line drawing on natural wood colour, and the other is very red

two women's portraits on a skateboard. Top one is turquoise and the bottom one is pink

below: A man with a mustache

man's portrait painted on half of a skateboard, attached to a pole in graffiti alley

below: Three on the same pole in Graffiti Alley – A red person with shaggy hair and light blue glasses as well someone with very long orange hair.

portraits painted on half skateboards, 3 different men, one in red, one in orange, and one in pink, all on the same pole in graffiti alley, work of positive creations

man's portrait painted on half of a skateboard, in red, shaggy hair, and wearing light blue glasses, attached to a pole in graffiti alley

below: At the bottom, a quizzical look on a pink face.

pink man's portrait painted on half of a skateboard, attached to a pole in graffiti alley

 

Bohac & Rosa, portraits on display

Posted: May 17, 2024 in galleries
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In the lobby of 150 King West there is a display of the artwork of two artists, Katerina Bohac and Diana Rosa.  Most of the paintings are portraits of women.  The exhibit continues until the end of May.

below: “Sophia in Dubai”, Katerina Bohac

below: “Saguaro Amor”, Diana Rosa

below: “Light of Hope” by Katerina Bohac

below: “A Century of Chairs”, Diana Rosa

The exhibit was organized by Helloart whose goal is to bring businesses and local artists together.

For more information on the artists see the links:

Katerina Bohac

Diana Rosa 

 

below: An aside, being in the lobby of 150 King West provides a different vantage point for this sculpture by Sorel E. Trog on the northeast corner of King and University.

portraits in black and white

Posted: January 19, 2024 in galleries
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If you are interested in photography, especially taking pictures of people, then I highly recommend seeing the current exhibit of Arthur Newman’s black and white photos at the Art Gallery of Ontario.  Newman was an American photographer born in New York City in 1918.  He is known for his work with portraits, especially with ‘environmental portraits’.  These are images that are much more than head shots as they include context that provides further information about the subject.  Often the location or the accessories used in the shot were more dominant than the person being photographed.

Keep in mind that these are pictures of framed photographs hung in a room with low light, i.e. they are much better in real life.

below left: Michel Tapie, art critic and curator
below right: Georges Mathieu, French painter

black and white portrait by Arnold Newman, 2 portraits, on right is Georges Mathieu a French Painter and on left is

below top: from left to right – Phillip Glass 1981 composer, artist Roy Lichtenstein 1975, and Annie & Josef Albers 1976 (also artists)
below bottom: (all painters) from left to right – Edward Hopper 1960, Richard Artschwager 1987, and Lily Michaels 1959.  The image that is only partially shown is of Martha Graham, dancer and choreographer taken in 1961.

on wall at art gallery of ontario, black and white portrait by Arnold Newman, 6 photos

below: Israeli artist Moshe Kupferman, taken 1982

black and white portrait by Arnold Newman, of artist Moshe Kupferman

below left: Abstract image in home of Yechiel and Haviva Shemi, 1982
below right: Allen Ginsberg, poet, 1985

at art gallery of ontario, exhibit of black and white portraits by arnold newman, photo of poet alan ginsberg kneeling on a bed

below: Jean Arp, sculptor, 1949

at art gallery of ontario, exhibit of black and white portraits by arnold newman of french sculptor jean arp

below left: Jean Cocteau, 1960, writer and visual artist
below right: Yaacov Agam, sculptor, 1966

at art gallery of ontario, exhibit of black and white portraits by arnold newman, 2 photos

below left: Julio La Parc, artist, 1967
below right: Lee Krasner, artist 1973

at art gallery of ontario, exhibit of black and white portraits by arnold newman, 2 photos

below: John Hay Whitney, taken 1947.  Whitney was chairman of the board at MOMA (Museum of Modern Art) in New York City.

portrait of John Hay Whitney taken by Arnold Newman

below: Priscilla Colt and Thomas C. Colt Jr., 1950, museum directors, Portland Art Museum, Oregon.

portrait taken inside an art gallery, beside a scultprue of a standing figure, a couple, photo taken by arnold newman

black and white photo by Arnold Newman of a man holding a picture frame around his head

Unfortunately this show ends this weekend, on the 21st of January.  I didn’t realize that it was ending so soon so I am glad that I caught it when I did.

Resilience at Cedarbrae

Posted: May 4, 2023 in events, public art
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“Resilience” is a photography exhibit at Cedarbrae Library.

part of exterior wall of Cedarbrae library, part window and part photography exhibit, large photos in black and white of people

It is the creation of Scarborough Made.  This is a group founded by Alex Narvaez x Sid Naidu in 2019.  It uses photography and cinematography to document positive stories about the people of Scarborough with emphasis on identity and culture.

black and white photography, a couple standing outside a building, she in white sleeveless top and white pants, he in darker clothes

four large black and white portraits on exterior wall of glass windows Cedarbrae library, Resilience for ArtworxTO

words describing a photography exhibit, outdoors, at Cedarbrae library, Resilience by the group Scarborough Made,

“Resilience:
The ability to recover from challenges or adjust easily to change.

Resilience exists all around us.

We see it in the movers and shakers, the cultural change makers and creative instigators.

We see it in our neighbourhoods, from the small businesses to our healthcare and essential workers.

Resilience is what lives in our narratives and exists within our identity.

Our resilience as a community is stronger when we stick together.  With it, we can overcome the challenges and build towards a better future.

The portraits you see as part of this public art installation represent the many faces that embody resilience. Pulling from both past and present works of Scarborough Made artists, we’ve created this exhibit for you to see and reflect on the humanity that exists within our community.

Resilience is us
Resilience is you
Resilience is Scarborough. ”

cedarbrae library in scarborough, photography display

black and white portraits on display in windows of library

       Artists

  • Alicia Reid
  • Ferdinand Orlain
  • Millicent Amurao
  • Nithursan Elamuhilan
  • Alex Narvaez x Sid Naidu

With the Strength of Our Diversity

Posted: November 14, 2022 in graffiti and street art, locations
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Eight squares of positive messages.

With the strength of our diversity;
With the wisdom of our ancestors.

We look ahead to our prosperity

concrete block against a metal fence with simple painting of a person's back

We create our own identity

concrete block against a metal fence with simple painting of a person's back, braided hair down middle of head

Based on love and empathy

concrete block against a metal fence with simple painting of a person's back, short hair, tattoo of sun on back of neck, carrying a violin case on his back

We firmly believe in equality

concrete block against a metal fence with simple painting of a person's back

Embracing our unity; unleashing our creativity

concrete block against a metal fence with simple painting of a person

Striving for peace and respect

concrete block against a metal fence with simple painting of a person, in profile, holding a parasol over their head, hair held back in a bun with pair of chop sticks

These simple paintings are arranged along a fence at Kingston and Galloway Roads in the West Hill neighbourhood in Scarborough. At one end, on Galloway Road, only the back of the person is seen from the sidewalk. In the middle, the people are starting to turn so that by the other end of the line they face the street.

concrete block against a metal fence with simple painting of a person of Caribbean origin, male, wearing oversized heat

concrete block against a metal fence with simple painting of a person, male, african type clothing including hat

This was a StreetARToronto project with the help of the Boys and Girls Club of East Scarborough as well as Behind the Line

portraits, larger than life

Posted: May 7, 2022 in events, public art
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This year’s CONTACT Photography Festival showcases the work of a few photographers who focus on portraits.  Two of these, Tyler Mitchell and Jorian Charlton, are shown here.

First, on the west side of Spadina near King Street is this large portrait:

very large photo titles Georgia, pasted on brick wall, black woman rubbing her tummy,

It is “Georgia” by Jorian Charlton, a Toronto based photographer whose works centers around Jamaican-Canadians and their culture. There is also an exhibit of her work titled “Out of Many” at the Art Gallery of Ontario that can be seen until 7 Aug 2022.

Nearby is a series of portraits by American photographer Tyler Mitchell (b. 1995) is on display on King Street West by Metro Hall. This is “Cultural Turns”.

outdoor exhibit, portraits of black people, King St West, by Tyler Mitchell

people walking past, on sidewalk, outdoor exhibit, portraits of black people, King St West, by Tyler Mitchell

3 of the portraits in Cultural Turns exhibit outside Metro Hall, on the left a couple - man in pink shorts has his arm around the womans shoulders

Tyler Mitchell photograph of two women and a bike

part of outdoor exhibit of work of Tyler Mitchell photographer

a portrait by Tyler Mitchell of a black woman with big white sunglasses and a white jacket open enough to show lots of cleavage

There are actually three parts to this exhibition.  Unfortunately I do not have photos of the other parts but they are billboards at Dovercourt and Dupont as well as an indoor component at the CONTACT Gallery.

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