May 5 - June 11, 2011
Caitlin Erskine-Smith¹s work deals with the ideas surrounding the use of the
spoken and written word and the way in which intended and communicated
meaning can be estranged. Her work in textiles incorporates traditional
techniques to consider modern conflicts of identity, language, and change.
Erskine-Smith has exhibited in numerous juried exhibitions in Canada and
abroad. Demonstrated‹the work carried out by Erskine-Smith during the Open
Studio Visiting Artist Residency‹questions the multiple narratives
surrounding violence that play out in our city everyday, and the manner in
which power and authority is exploited to legitimize violence or criminalize
acts of resistance. In particular, it seeks to explore the notions of voice
and agency by questioning who is deemed to be a legitimate speaker and whose
voices are marginalized. The piece uses a quote from Toronto Police Chief
Bill Blair to highlight the manner in which fear is evoked to justify mass
arrests. Blair¹s voice mirrors the silence of thousands without power, who
are lost under the dominance of trusted authorities. A text by Owen Coggins
accompanies the exhibition.
Joy Walker studied textile design at OCAD and, for over twenty years, has
designed and produced printed textiles for retailers and design consultants
throughout Canada and the U.S. Her artwork reflects her interest in
pattern, repetition, geometrics and the ephemeral, using a variety of
methods, including printing, photography, drawing, stitching and cutting.
Walker has exhibited widely and her work is included in both private and
public collections. She is also the programmer of *QueenSpecifc, a window
exhibition space on Queen St. West in Toronto displaying site-specific art
installations. She is represented by MKG127 gallery in Toronto. Created
during Walker¹s Visiting Artist Residency at Open Studio, the Crush series
began when Walker noticed a piece of lined paper on the floor of her studio.
The paper had been crumpled and crushed; as a result, a random pattern of
lines had been created on its flattened surface. Deciding to forgo
intentional pattern-making in favour of chance, Walker has created a suite
of screenprints based on enlarged versions of crumpled-up lined, grid and
dot papers. A text by Gary Michael Dault accompanies the exhibition.
Open Studio
401 Richmond Street West, Suite 104
Toronto
416-504-8238
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