Art Toronto 2019 was one of Feheley’s most exciting yet! This year marked the fair’s twentieth anniversary and our own as an exhibitor, as we were recognized as one of six galleries that have participated since the fair’s inception in 1999.

With excitement, we introduced work by two new artists at the fair. Labrador-based sculptor Michael Massie was one of them. After spending many successful years with Spirit Wrestler Gallery in Vancouver, Feheley proudly announced our exclusive representation of Massie and his exquisite works which masterfully combine various materials (metal, bone, wood, stone, etc.) in ever-increasingly inventive ways. We were thrilled to have Massie at the Feheley booth on both Thursday and Friday to talk about his two works on display: Availabili-tea (Tea-pot #99) and Ulu Bowl: Central Arctic Design.

The work of Kinngait-based artist Johnny Pootoogook also made an Art Toronto debut, and his quiet yet bold coloured pencil and ink raven drawings may have just stolen the show. While Pootoogook has been making art for many years working in both sculpture and printmaking, his raven drawings are something completely new. Perhaps his famous father Kananginak Pootoogook, the renowned artist of birds also known as the “Audubon of the North,” was source of inspiration! The warm reception to Pootoogook’s works was phenomenal and much deserved. Now we’re looking forward to the artist’s solo exhibition at Feheley Fine Arts in 2020.

Elsewhere in the booth, Ooloosie Saila’s exuberant landscapes and Qavavau Manumie’s woven paper piece Composition (Polar Bear With Spirits)—an entirely unique cross between textile and drawing—wowed fairgoers with their impressive subject matter and technique. Works by both artists are headed to the Royal Bank of Canada’s collection. We’re also pleased to report that a piece by Shuvinai Ashoona is going to the Art Gallery of Guelph.

A big thanks to everyone who stopped by our booth and made the 2019 fair one to remember! Here’s to twenty more years!