Art
DIY home art gallery: 'Fall in love with your choices' | wellandtribune.ca – WellandTribune.ca
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If it involves contemporary art, Ashley McKenzie-Barnes has been involved: creating, curating and collecting, for starters. Then there’s branding, installations, public speaking and more collaborations than you can shake a paintbrush at.
With a career of almost 20 years under her tool belt, McKenzie-Barnes lives and breathes art in her third-floor loft in the heart of the vibrant Queen West arts community.
Her live-work home base is in an Artscape building — a not-for-profit group that provides creativity spaces for arts and culture.
With 10-foot ceilings, the loft has become her own private gallery, hung with creations she’s personally drawn to.
“I have an emotional connection to most of the pieces because they’re artists I’ve worked with,” says McKenzie-Barnes, who does commercial and creative projects through her company, D.PE Agency, which stands for diverse, progressive, experiences.
One piece in particular stands out, rising six feet behind a black leather sectional in the living room. It’s a loose, raw canvas suspended from a tree branch provided by the artist Dahae Song, a South Korean, Toronto-based alumnus of OCAD University of art, design and media.
“I fell in love with it,” says McKenzie-Barnes, recounting how she spotted the piece in Song’s studio when they were working on a project together.
Song, who has called her art an exploration of her innermost, “sensitive parts,” hadn’t planned on selling it, according to McKenzie-Barnes.
But the two “had a great working relationship” so she agreed to part with the wall hanging which McKenzie-Barnes describes as “a really beautiful blend of brush strokes and simple spheres … a balance of light and dark.
“There’s so much detail in the paintbrush strokes, I always see something different (looking at it),” she says, noting that like other pieces in her collection, it’s a great conversation starter.
For McKenzie-Barnes, art talk began back in Grade 4 when her teacher told her mom the youngster showed real talent.
“I was a big drawer,” focusing on still-life and portraiture, she recalls. The recognition eventually led to her acceptance into Toronto’s Cardinal Carter Academy for the Arts in Grade 9.
After high school, she studied advertising, graphic design and art direction, and went on to collect an impressive list of clients and projects including Harbourfront Centre, the AGO and the Scarborough location of 2019’s Nuit Blanche, an all-night interactive art event.
The solo show of a Toronto artist she’d supported for years yielded another eye-catching piece for her loft, where she displays mostly BIPOC artists. It’s a photography and digital rendering by Afro-futuristic artist Adeyemi Adegbesan, who goes by Yung Yemi.
His intricately detailed and embellished portraits “embody history, future, and culture all in one,” according to his website where some of his images are displayed.
McKenzie-Barnes was also captivated by a photograph of a “sadhu” (holy person) taken by Che Kothari, who “caught a real moment” on a holy walk in India where the dark river shimmered in the background.
“Che ended up gifting it to me,” she says of the Toronto-based director, producer and photographer who’s done portraits of performing artists such as Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu and Ziggy Marley.
As well, McKenzie-Barnes’s collection includes art-related items and books such as the coffee table tome by African-American Mickalene Thomas called “Femmes Noires,” which was an exhibition at the AGO a few years ago.
McKenzie-Barnes encourages opening the art world to everyone.
“Art collecting isn’t for the wealthy or upper-class only,” she says, advising would-be connoisseurs to stay within their budget and to consider buying directly from the artist, which may cost less.
Collecting should be an “organic” process, with exposure to different artists and art forms to figure out what you’re drawn to, she advises. And grow your collection slowly, to allow your taste to evolve.
Don’t let trends turn your head, McKenzie-Barnes advises. The “easy and accessible” work of big names or famous Instagram personalities may not be something you connect with.
“Fall in love with your choices,” just as she’s done, urges the art aficionado.
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The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House has reopened its doors to the public after a fire swept through the historic building in central London. While the gallery has resumed operations, the rest of the iconic site remains closed “until further notice.”
On Saturday, approximately 125 firefighters were called to the scene to battle the blaze, which sent smoke billowing across the city. Fortunately, the fire occurred in a part of the building not housing valuable artworks, and no injuries were reported. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.
Despite the disruption, art lovers queued outside the gallery before it reopened at 10:00 BST on Sunday. One visitor expressed his relief, saying, “I was sad to see the fire, but I’m relieved the art is safe.”
The Clark family, visiting London from Washington state, USA, had a unique perspective on the incident. While sightseeing on the London Eye, they watched as firefighters tackled the flames. Paul Clark, accompanied by his wife Jiorgia and their four children, shared their concern for the safety of the artwork inside Somerset House. “It was sad to see,” Mr. Clark told the BBC. As a fan of Vincent Van Gogh, he was particularly relieved to learn that the painter’s famous Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear had not been affected by the fire.
Blaze in the West Wing
The fire broke out around midday on Saturday in the west wing of Somerset House, a section of the building primarily used for offices and storage. Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, assured the public that “no valuable artefacts or artworks” were located in that part of the building. By Sunday, fire engines were still stationed outside as investigations into the fire’s origin continued.
About Somerset House
Located on the Strand in central London, Somerset House is a prominent arts venue with a rich history dating back to the Georgian era. Built on the site of a former Tudor palace, the complex is known for its iconic courtyard and is home to the Courtauld Gallery. The gallery houses a prestigious collection from the Samuel Courtauld Trust, showcasing masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Among the notable works are pieces by impressionist legends such as Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent Van Gogh.
Somerset House regularly hosts cultural exhibitions and public events, including its popular winter ice skating sessions in the courtyard. However, for now, the venue remains partially closed as authorities ensure the safety of the site following the fire.
Art lovers and the Somerset House community can take solace in knowing that the invaluable collection remains unharmed, and the Courtauld Gallery continues to welcome visitors, offering a reprieve amid the disruption.
Sudbury’s annual art and music festival is marking a significant milestone this year, celebrating its long-standing impact on the local cultural scene. The festival, which has grown from a small community event to a major celebration of creativity, brings together artists, musicians, and visitors from across the region for a weekend of vibrant performances and exhibitions.
The event features a diverse range of activities, from live music performances to art installations, workshops, and interactive exhibits that highlight both emerging and established talent. This year’s milestone celebration will also honor the festival’s history by showcasing some of the artists and performers who have contributed to its success over the years.
Organizers are excited to see how the festival has evolved, becoming a cornerstone of Sudbury’s cultural landscape. “This festival is a celebration of creativity, community, and the incredible talent we have here in Sudbury,” said one of the event’s coordinators. “It’s amazing to see how it has grown and the impact it continues to have on the arts community.”
With this year’s milestone celebration, the festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a full lineup of exciting events, workshops, and performances that will inspire and engage attendees of all ages.
The festival’s milestone is not just a reflection of its past success but a celebration of the continued vibrancy of Sudbury’s arts scene.
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