Toronto’s 52nd annual Outdoor Art Exhibition is coming up and with hundreds of artists participating, it can be tough to see them all. The juried selection process brings together seasoned artists, talented newcomers and innovative students for an open-air gallery experience. With the breadth of artists participating this year, there’s definitely something for everyone. Here at the View the Vibe, we’ve got our eye on five up-and-coming Toronto artists who are exhibiting this year. We recommend marking their booths on your map when you head to Nathan Phillips Square next weekend (July 5th through 7th).
Adam Colangelo, Booth 42: Adam’s career as an artist started in an unexpected way. Experimenting with scraps of copper in his grandfather’s workshop as a young boy, he never dreamed of how important the medium would become to his work. Now he’s getting international recognition for his large-scale compositions that reveal the beauty of his favourite metal. Living and working in Toronto, he exhibits across Canada, the United States, and as far away as Japan. Using a variety of treatments with heat and chemicals, Adam creates geometric puzzles in the surface of his pieces. Not only is the scale of his work awe-inspiring, but each small segment holds its own unique geography.
Lisa Ng, Booth 212: Lisa grew up with a passion for art and was constantly making pictures, drawing spirographs, or constructing origami. As an adult, she continues to make art everyday. She’s also something of a renaissance woman, with an employment history that runs the gamut from garbage picker to caricature artist, and formal training as both an artist and a nurse. Her eclectic background is visible in the composition of her colourful paintings.
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Neil Young, Booth 22: Neil was trained as an architect and practiced in the field for 10 years. Now he creates vibrant, textured mixed media compositions that create abstract representations of urban landscapes, nature, and machinery. Through the layers of his work, he hopes to help the viewer explore new spaces and conceptions of self, leaving them with a feeling of hopefulness and joy.
Elly Smallwood, Booth 46: Painter Elly Smallwood has recently received a lot of acclaim after being featured in The Artist Project, a jury-selected showcase for up-and-coming artists. While her young age has sometimes held her back, it seems the art world is starting to take her seriously. Elly’s fascination with anatomy is obvious in her portraits which are at times morbid but at others ethereal. All of them seem to reveal a beauty hidden within imperfection.
Colleen McCarten, Booth 398: Colleen graduated from OCAD after studying Material Art and Design. Her thesis project explored the intersection of textiles and assumed cultural value. She was awarded a medal for her achievements. Colleen’s intricate weavings demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of textile construction. Her recent pieces using laser cut wood to create “knit work” are a true testament to her creativity and willingness to push the boundaries of the medium.
