Profiles

While Elisha Lim is often recognized for the graphic novel “100 Butches” — a collection of queer portraits and anecdotes amassed while travelling around the world — the Toronto-based artist also has some curatorial experiences to talk about, and shares both some of Syrus Marcus Ware’s curatorial take on the matter and

From Montreal’s Marc-André Giguère’s artist standpoint, not only is art curating changing its definition or reason to be, but so are the arts. “The arts don’t have the same reason to be nowadays. We see it differently now. There was a time when artistic movements came one after the others and we would discover something new with each period of time. I think today isn’t so much about that anymore. It has mainly come down to styles.”

“Researching and considering what people are making and what’s going on out in the world and putting together a thoughtful argument that tells a story, gives a certain point of view or suggests something by bringing together artists and works.” That’s Syrus Marcus Ware’s definition of curating. As a visual artist and community activist, the Torontonian was definitely interested in being an artist and went to school to study art history, grow his own practice and incorporate activism through his creative process.

Matthew Del Degan grew up in Toronto and continues to live and work there. His workflow involves using 2D software and a multitude of 3D rendering software. He also draws and professes to know “a thing or two about concrete, paper, and glue.” A thing or two about concrete, hmm?

For a long time, if there was one thing that the outside world didn’t really associate with the city of Toronto, it was a strong identity of its own. Sure, it’s the largest city in Canada and the CN Tower was inspiring awe long before the Burj Khalifa, but to people not actually from there, it wasn’t really known for anything—except maybe as home to a bunch of amazing comedians, Drake, and Rob Ford. It certainly was never thought of as an artists’ city. But, believe it or not, a lot has changed.

Monsieur Plume is not your average writer. Dynamic and bold, his work makes use of loose, gestural strokes and drips to create a strong sense of energy and motion, drawing the viewer into his distorted portraits and figures. Equally as comfortable in the street, the gallery, and the classroom, he carries a strong sense of social awareness throughout all aspects of his work—from illegal pieces, to exhibitions, and educational workshops.

Our regular arts and culture contributor, Karyn Gray, speaks to the original street art king, ZÏLON LAZER, about his oft under-publicized and under-appreciated trailblazing.

Our One to Watch artist for this issue is West Coast native ISAAC HOLLAND. We asked Karyn Gray to profile this natural born artist on behalf of ION.