Bernadette Wong will be showing her surreal landscapes at Gerrard Art Space, 1390 Gerrard St. E., from May 22 to June 9. The show is called With A Bang.
Wong draws on childhood memories, recurring dreams and nightmares and world issues for inspiration, sculpting and texturing her acrylic paintings. She considers herself as a storyteller, using a vibrant colour palette and high contrast compositions of light and dark areas.
In her artist’s statement, she writes that “the soul of a painting should take precedence over its technical correctness. Armed with a set of acquired technical skills, an artist sets forth to create his imaginary world from the recess of his psyche.”
There will be an opening reception on Saturday, May 25 from 2 to 5 p.m. For more on Wong, visit bernadettewong.com. The Photography Show continues until May 19. For more on GAS, visit gerrardartspace.com.
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Beach photographer Ben Stellino is currently showing her work at an exhibit titled The Moment, at Wunderland Gallery and Espresso Bar, 1905 Queen St. E., one block east of Woodbine.
Stellino has been “puttering around with photography for a long time, but I decided to get serious with it,” she said. She may be known to some Beachers as the owner of the former Konditor café.
After winning a Toronto Star photo contest with a photo called Comfort, Stellino jumped into digital photography, thanks to a prize package. Now she’s concentrating all her spare time outside of her day job into her camera. However, the technology upgrade from 35mm film hasn’t changed her love of photographing people.
“The essence for me is capturing the moment,” she said. “It’s always been about capturing the moment.”
Stellino expands on her theme in her artist’s statement, writing that “living in the moment allows me to see the poetry in life and invites magic to happen … Every photograph has a beautiful tale to tell, and at the root of it all, I’m just a storyteller.”
Wunderland is open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday to Wednesday, and from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. from Thursday to Saturday. The Moment runs until May 31. For more information on Stellino and her work visit benslenz.ca.
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Beach photographer Shabnam Khosrowshahi is offering East Enders a reason to head a bit to the west over the Victoria Day weekend, for Artfest at the Distillery.
The show draws artists and artisans from across the province, but those unfamiliar with Khosrowshahi’s work may find it worth the trip.
Khosrowshahi came to Toronto in 1998, but only moved to the Beach a little over a year ago. She and her husband came for the boardwalk, the water, the shopping, the architecture and, of course, the large and thriving community of artists in the area. She’s already settling in, having recently took part in her first Beach Studio Tour.
Khosrowshahi replied with a laugh and the word “forever” when asked how long she’s been taking photographs. “Basically I’ve been taking photos since I was 10 … I was always curious about it.”
Although she has a fairly distinctive style, when she sets out with camera in hand there’s no agenda.
“The only plan is, ‘I should go out and take photos’,” she said.
Though she learned on film, Khosrowshahi has since made the leap to digital cameras. That doesn’t stop her from doing her own printing. She sells her work framed, matted (in easily framed sizes) and also in greeting card format.
Artfest in the Distillery runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, from May 18 to 20 in the historic Distillery District, south of Front Street East, between Parliament and Cherry Streets. For more on the show, visit artfestontario.com. For more on Khosrowshahi and her work, visit morningdewphotography.ca.
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