Home to the famous architect Frank Gehry, Toronto is known for many things, such as their crack-smoking mayor, Rob Ford, being the most ethnically diverse city in the world, and, recently, for having the second-best neighborhood in the world to find the hippest street style according to Vogue magazine—they are also known for their vibrant and diverse art scene.
In the run up to Art Toronto, the most populous city in Canada is hosting exciting shows all week. Be sure to pay a visit to Nicholas Metivier Gallery, showcasing one of Canada’s most-noted artists John Hartman, in his first exhibition that predominately features portraiture of figures he encountered in Georgian Bay, Ontario. There is also text-based Vancouver-born artist Graham Gillmore’s solo show at Division Gallery titled Great Expectations, where you see the artist portray his struggle, through imagery and text, about the dislocation between our own self-perception and that of others. If you’ve seen enough Canadian artists, head to Toronto’s landmark building Brookfield Place to see the most popular traveling photo event in the world, a show featuring award-winning images assembled by World Press Photo, or to the Centre for Contemporary Photography, showcasing works by Venezuelan artist Susana Reisman.
The city plays host to numerous festivals and events year-round, but this October, before Art Toronto 2014 beings, here are some must-see shows that you don’t want to miss.
Exhibition: “Blue Republic: Lick But Don’t Swallow”
When: October 16–November 22, 2014 (Opening Reception: October 16)
Where: Georgia Scherman Projects, 133 Tecumseth Street, Toronto, Ontario
Exhibition: “Georgian Bay: Portraits from the Shoreline”
When: October 16–November 8, 2014
Where: Nicholas Metivier Gallery, 451 King Street West Toronto, Ontario
Exhibition: “Darlene Cole”
When: October 5–October 18, 2014
Where: Bau-Xi, 340 Dundas Street West, Toronto, Ontario
Exhibition: “Richard Storms: can’t get there from here”
When: October 18–November 22, 2014
Where: Birch Contemporary, 129 Tecumseth Street, Toronto, Ontario
Exhibition: “Daphne Odjig: Full Circle”
When: September 20–October 17, 2014
Where: Gallery Gevik, 12 Hazelton Avenue, Toronto, Ontario
Exhibition: “Soul Spectra: New Work by Erin Loree”
When: October 18–November 2, 2014
Where: Canadian Fine Arts (CFA Gallery), 577 Mount Pleasant Road, Toronto, Ontario
Exhibition: “GRAHAM GILLMORE GREAT EXPECTATIONS”
When: September 4–October 18, 2014
Where: Division Gallery Toronto, 45 Ernest Avenue, Toronto, Ontario
Exhibition: “Standardizing Nature: Trees, Wood, Lumber”
When: September 12–October 18, 2014
Where: G44 Centre for Contemporary Photography, 401 Richmond Street West, Suite #120, Toronto, Ontario
Exhibition: “World Press Photo 2014”
When: September 30–October 21, 2014
Where: Brookfield Place, 181 Bay Street, Toronto, Ontario