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Summer at the SquareThere is much artistic talent in Toronto both native to the city and visitors who bring their wares to the numerous art shows held in Ontario's capital. Recently Nathan Phillips Square in the heart of downtown Toronto played host to an eclectic collection of artists in a multitude of mediums. Simon Andrew: Award Winner - Painting
Simon Andrew worked with Mel Gibson producing paintings for the film 'The Man without a Face'. Simon Andrew studied science at Queen’s University and holds an MFA from Newcastle University U.K. He was the recipient of The Lawrence Atwell Scholarship Award for Painting from Skinners Hall, London. U.K. Simon has taught undergraduate students at Newcastle University. He emigrated to Canada in 1991 and has received arts council grants. The artist is represented in major corporate collections. He has produced art for the artistic ventures of Mel Gibson and the Tragically Hip, a popular Canadian band, and has also attended residencies in both Canada and abroad. The included a full fellowship award from The Vermont Studio Center. Simon was awarded first prize (Northern Region) for his work in The Laing National Art Competition, London U.K. His work was also selected for The Hunting Group Contemporary Art Competition also in the U.K. Simon has had numerous solo shows at contemporary galleries abroad and in Canada. He designed The Tragically Hip ‘Day for Night’ CD cover. Rose Hirano: Award Winner - Printmaking
Rose Hirano is drawn to wood block printing for its tactile hands-on process. Her bold reduction woodcuts of abstracted images involve multiple inkings using one single piece of wood. Each edition averages 10 color layers and takes 5 weeks to complete. Her works are like pages from her personal visual journal – a log of her ideas and points of view using images instead of words. Franco DeFrancesca - Mixed Media
Resin coated and mounted to layers of laminated plywood, these digital/mixed media 'picture objects' are of high finish and high design. They represent interpretations of contemporary visual culture charmed by minimalism, modernism, technology and futurism. Visualizing ephemeral and elusive environments of light, air, fission and liquid crystal luminescence, these works convey notions of the surreal and the sublime, eliciting a variety of sensibilities from the quizzical, the mysterious and the light-hearted. Combining craftsmanship with digital technology in an attempt to create an object of beauty, these works for me, emblematize 'the sophisticated ideal' of modernity, high technology and urbanity as desired both personally and culturally. A native of Toronto, Franco graduated from OCA(D) in 1990 and returned to the University of Guelph in 2004-05 to further his studies after 15 years working as a graphic designer and in the renovation industry. As a multidisciplinary artist since 2004. Franco has been exhibiting art and art projects ranging from sculpture/installation, photography, digital art, and sound art exploring narratives and representations that materialize notions of identity, the body, art history, media and consumption culture. Sally Milne - Watercolor
Adding, "working in a transparent, fluid medium, I have always been inspired by subjects which share these characteristics: water, ice and glass. Over the years my work has focused largely on the representation of colored glass objects. These have been used in compositions where light shines through the fluid forms, transparent, yet saturated colors are juxtaposed and the curved forms give movement to the work. Recent paintings, also inspired by glass, focus on color, form and movement in abstract compositions where the subject matter is no longer represented as a whole. Moving into abstraction has been an exciting evolution in my work and continues to inspire and challenge me." Cam Lavers - Wood
“For 15 years I was stifled” Cam says. “I lived in the corporate telecom world, a world of suits and commutes, of meet and greets, of phones and egos and data. Then the bubble burst and released me” The artist continues, “I now take what I see,” he says, “and turn it into art.” Some is simply art. Some you can actually use, not just for functional use, but also for creating conversation. His “Tables in the Key of C” for example, usually brings up music as a topic of conversation, “which in reality is the most universal language” he says. His railway spike pepper mill immediately brought the thought of his grandfather, who was a train engineer on the East coast over 60 years ago, to the mind of his mother when she first saw it. He first started his new career building reproduction pieces, honing his craft, and studying as much craftsmanship techniques as he could. It wasn't until he saw the furniture of Brad Jenkins of New Jersey that he decided to start designing his own pieces. Jenkins' style incorporates Japanese structural architecture. That style invoked an idea of somehow using suspension bridges as a theme, which lead to trying to figure out what string system to use. Being a novice guitar player, guitar strings came to mind, and in a moment of true inspiration, the idea of a guitar table came to him at 2:30 AM. He sketched a first draft of the design right there and then and has been refining it ever since. "The suspension bridge idea will be made eventually, as well as 5 other designs I currently have in various stages of design. I will continue to create as long as I can and hopefully create pieces that are both inspired, and inspiring” Cam says. In 2004, between furniture pieces, he tried his hand at wood turning, specifically for pepper mills. The first 10 he made were sold within a week and a new line of pieces was born. During the summer of 2004, an old dead tree in his back yard needed to be cut down and, while doing so, he noticed an amazing branch who’s bark had fallen off revealing work track and beautiful colors created by the elements. In a moment of inspiration he kept the branch and turned it into 3 pepper mills, all of which immediately sold. They’re by far his most popular pieces. Hyewon Jang - Jewelry
TOAE 2007 Award WinnersMany art exhibitions such as the juried Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition organize awards to honor some of the artists.
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