This October marked our 17th year participating in Art Toronto, and what a year it was! Our booth featured work by Annie Pootoogook, Jutai Toonoo, Padloo Samayualie, Shuvinai Ashoona, Ningeokuluk Teevee and emerging artist Pauojoungie Saggiak. We also featured Tim Pitsiulak’s new Iceberg series. His drawings were in a parallel show at our gallery entitled ICE.
For the 5th time, works from our booth were chosen for the prestigious AGO Opening Night Acquisition. Artworks from only five out of more than 100 galleries were given this honour. In the shadows of Annie Pootoogook’s passing, the Art Gallery of Ontario purchased three of her drawings at the fair. We are touched knowing her work will be commemorated, not only at the AGO, but other major public collection across Canada.
Pat Feheley acted as panelist in Art Toronto’s PLATFORM lecture series. Speaking with her on the topic of Indigenous Contemporary Art Practice and the Art Market were artist Ruth Cuthand, Ontario Art Council’s Aboriginal Art Officer Sara Roque and Canada Council for the Arts’ Coordinator of the Aboriginal Arts Office Steven Loft. Moderated by PhD candidate Rachelle Dickenson, the panelists discussed contemporary Indigenous art practice in regard to the art economy, touching on challenge and success of Indigenous artists in the current market. The panel was presented by Art Dealers Association of Canada.
Thank you to everyone who came to visit us at Art Toronto and congratulations to our fellow exhibitors.