2018 Thesis Award Show: 'Patria Potestas' by Michelle Peraza at ARTiculations →

MICHELLE PERAZA

Patria Potestas

June 13th - July 13th, 2018.

Reception: Thursday, June 14th, 7-9pm

Location: ARTiculations, 2928 Dundas St West / Mon-Fri: 11-6, Sat: 11-5, Sun: 12-5

Michelle Peraza's recent body of work 'Patria Potestas' explores themes of ethnicity, origins, culture, tradition, skin colour, value systems, customs, identity, migration, integration, and familial hierarchy and bonds that raise vital questions. Large-scale portraiture is the catalyst allowing expression of these themes. Peraza chooses to paint individuals close to herself; people often ignored and unseen in the history of the painted portrait, particularly the Latino race/ethnicity. Matte black gesso creates a foundation of intensity and somberness to construct a version of the individual through a meticulous point system and linear comprehension of the face. High-realism allows the character, ethos, psychology, identity and appearance of the person to manifest. Large-scale provides a status as well as time for acknowledgment given the individuals frequent invisibility. The individuals Peraza chooses to paint are everyday people. They are immigrants. They are Canadian. They have stories and struggles. They provide consideration of their humanity, the artist's own humanity, our places in the world, and an interpretation of the face through paint.

The Thesis Award Show is a collaboration between ARTiculations, Graven Feather Studio and Akin Collective in support of graduating post secondary students. A call was sent out across the Province for applications in search of students demonstrating a coherent body of work unique in both concept and execution. Overwhelmed by the response, we extend a huge thank you to all of the applicants and congratulate this year's winner, Michelle Peraza. In addition to a solo exhibition Michelle will receive studio credit with Akin Collective as part of the award. 

2017 Thesis Award Show: 'Accumulations' new work by Jill Smith at ARTiculations

JILL SMITH
Accumulations
June 3rd-13th
Reception: Wednesday, June 7th, 6-8pm
Location: ARTiculations, 2928 Dundas St West / Mon-Fri: 11-6, Sat: 11-5, Sun: 12-5

Jill Smith’s recent body of work, Accumulations, explores the construction and decoration of environments, and how we engage with spaces both real and otherwise- often nonsensical, curious places. Smith not only explores the relationship between various objects in a scene, often rooted in domesticity or referencing still lives, but what it also means to provide a window into another setting through a practice involving sculpture, screen printing and more. Bodily, charming, playful and whimsical the artist takes us to another place- one that is strange yet somehow personal and familiar, odd yet somehow comforting.

The Thesis Award Show is a collaboration between ARTiculations, Graven Feather Studio and Akin Collective in support of graduating post secondary students. In spring 2017 a call was sent out across the Province for applications in search of students demonstrating a coherent body of work unique in both concept and execution. Overwhelmed by the response, we extend a huge thank you to all of the applicants and congratulate this year’s winners, Jill Smith and Kimberly Danielson for their achievements. In addition to solo exhibitions, Smith and Danielson each received a one week print residency with Graven Feather, and a studio credit with Akin Collective as part of the award.