Monday, January 3, 2011

Holiday Catchup: The Shows I'm Looking Forward to in 2011


Happy new year! Just catching up on an item of mine that the Post published over my holidays last week. It's about Toronto shows I'm looking forward to in 2011. An excerpt:

For the Torontopians Some of the most anticipated 2011 shows highlight Toronto talent. Leading the local-pride parade is MOCCA’s This is Paradise, a tribute to the Queen West and Cameron House scenes opening June 23. On February 4, MOCCA also launches a solo exhibition of internationally recognized (but often overlooked) artist Luis Jacob. (Jacob’s book Commerce by Artists will also be released soon by Art Metropole.) Absolutely must-see is a survey of renowned feminist photographer Suzy Lake that opens at the University of Toronto Art Centre (UTAC) as part of CONTACT this spring, while the ROM’s CONTACT offering is Edward Burtynsky and his touring, decade-long mega-project on the oil industry. Lots of smaller dealer shows also tempt: Marla Hlady’s sound sculptures opening at Jessica Bradley on Feb. 26; a large installation by An Te Liu at MKG127 starting April 23; up-and-comer Morley Shayuk’s first solo at Paul Petro beginning June 11; and Canadiana-kitscher Maura Doyle’s Petro show starting Oct. 14. On the public-art front, a larger-than-life James Carl sculpture will be installed near the TIFF Lightbox this summer, while Nuit Blanche, happening Oct. 1, has terrific curators tapped: St. Catharines’ Shirley Madill (who organized 2010 smash David Hoffos), the roving Candice Hopkins (known from coast to coast as a fine First Nations curator), and Toronto’s Nicholas Brown (who highlighted new talents at Red Bull 381 Projects). Jon Sasaki at the AGO in April should also be fun.

A few notes: Someone (correctly) pointed out to me over the holidays that Luis Jacob isn't as overlooked municipally as some might opine. I should have noted that Sasaki show is part of the Images fest. Also, one of many items I unfortunately cut for compression along the way is that the Toronto Sculpture Garden is turning 30 this September! They have vaguely promised something big to celebrate, though nothing specific to confirm yet. Still, I look forward to it. It's a pretty great little public art space.

You can read on here for my Canadian-art and international-artist picks confirmed to be in town as well in 2011, and feel free to post comments about anything you're looking forward to seeing.

(Still from UK artist Lindsay Seers' Extramission 6, which will be showing as part of Images in April at Gallery TPW.)

4 comments:

Kim Simon said...

Glad to hear you're excited about the Lindsay Seers show Leah, so are we! Quick footnote that the impetus for the timing of the Davida Nemeroff show at Katherine Mulherin is actually her larger solo project of new work that we're showing at Gallery TPW, opening February 5. Couldn't help but add the plug here... thanks.

Leah Sandals said...

Hey Kim,
Thanks for the clarification... looking forward to both shows, myself!
Best,
Leah

Ingrid Mida said...

Of course, I wish my show All is Vanity at Loop Gallery was on the list of must see shows but hopefully you'll come anyway. The opening is on January 22nd from 2-5 pm and there is a question and answer session on January 29th at 3 pm moderated by Lyla Rye.

Leah Sandals said...

I hear you Ingrid! I look forward to seeing the show.