Sunday, June 27, 2021

Hi, art lovers!

I was reminded of something this week: time has actually been moving forward. TIFF announced that it will return (with some in-person events!) this fall. Joni Mitchell’s Blue is now 50 years old (and being revisited in sprawling interactive features by both CBC Music and the New York Times). And folks we covered just yesterday (or at a time and date that certainly feels that recent) are moving onward and ever upward. Two examples: Siphesihle November (seen here) was made principal dancer at the National Ballet of Canada, and Canisia Lubrin (seen here) won the $65,000 Griffin Poetry Prize. Amazing. And here we are, still learning how to shake off that lockdown malaise.

Other things to read once your brain fog has lifted: an update on that David Bowie painting discovered in an Ontario landfill (and the small community that’s not too keen on the sudden rush of treasure seekers). Another very different CBC story about a thrift-store painting. Fifty books judged by their covers. The National Gallery of Canada has a new logo, but what does it mean to “decolonize” branding?

And because we promised you eye candy ...

@doras.creative/Instagram

Here’s a peek at a new piece by Montreal muralist Doras. If you’re in Toronto, you can get a taste of this one in person at the Corleck Building. It’s part of something called Miotas/Myth, a project organized by the Canada Ireland Foundation. They’ve commissioned a bunch of Canadian artists to interpret the titular theme and fill the space with murals and installations. Opening in July, it’s free to see, but registration is required.

@contactphoto/Instagram

Another one for those in Toronto: remember to look up. The Contact Photography Festival still has outdoor programming installed throughout the city, including this piece by Esmaa Mohamoud. Find it on the side of the Westin Harbour Castle Conference Centre, then follow this map to all the other works.

@zachari_logan/Instagram

Still life in a ditch by Zachari Logan (seen here). A whole exhibition of Zachari’s work opens at Canada House in London this Monday.

Airbnb

When it’s safe to travel again, consider staying in Gaudí’s Casa Vicens … for $1.50 a night.

You've got to see this

Courtesy of Morgan Asoyuf/Or Gallery. Photo by Patrick Shannon

Crowning Indigenous royalty

Morgan Asoyuf is a multidisciplinary artist from Ts'msyen Nation. She takes you inside the creation of Royal Portrait, a project that honours and supports Indigenous activists.

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

‘I had to change my Arabic name to make it as an actor. Now, I’m reclaiming it’

He couldn’t get work as Fuad Ahmed, but he did as Gabe Grey. Read his story.

Thunder Bay Art Gallery

Ontario public galleries demand right to return by Step 2

Feeling “left behind” by the province’s reopening strategy, they’ve launched a campaign asking for greater clarity.

Follow this artist

Yaara Eshet and Aya Rosen

@yaaraeshet @ayarosen

@yaaraeshet, @ayarosen/Instagram

Remember the story of Yaara and Aya’s travelling sketchbook from last week? If you’re desperate to see more pages, Instagram’s the best place to find them.

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I’m Leah Collins, senior writer at CBC Arts. Until next time!