Hello everybody!
Happy New Year! It’s unbelievable how much has changed from this time last year (we would have just closed Early Rubens to enormous Christmas crowds!!!)! I know we are happy to see the end of 2020 (was it the longest year ever?!). With a new year, comes a renewed sense optimism – which is complicated by a worldwide pandemic and serious political upheavals.
Normally, we keep this email light – choosing to highlight online content from the Gallery, however, I think it’s important to acknowledge the impact of these world events on our health and wellbeing. Which is a good reminder that now more than ever, we mindfully curate things that bring us joy (like art!) as an important form of self care. Whether it is as simple as reading the AGO Insider on a weekly basis, watching one of our many online talks or perhaps even trying your hand at one of the AGO’s online courses. While the Gallery is closed, we will continue to share interesting talks, articles and links as a way to provide connection.
Read on!
Close Looking: Gustave Caillebotte
Join Caroline Shields, Associate Curator and Head of European Art, as she discusses a 2019 acquisition by French Impressionist painter Gustave Caillebotte (linked HERE). We will take a close look at his painting Blue Irises, Garden at Petit Gennevilliers, and explore what Caillebotte and fellow artist Claude Monet saw as the interconnectedness of art, life, and gardening. I know many of you were enthusiastic about the training session Caroline Shields provided back for Impressionism in the Age of Industry: Monet, Pissarro and more exhibition, so consider this talk a must watch! While sadly we can’t currently enjoy this painting in person, Caroline examines the work closely in the digital medium right up to the brush stroke! You may also want to delve further into this article from the CBC on the (super interesting!) acquisition of this piece.
Art in the Spotlight: Margaret Priest
Join Toronto artist Margaret Priest for an illustrated talk about her drawings, sculptures, paintings and prints to coincide with the exhibition of The Monument to Construction Workers (which closed back in September) and a selection of related drawings and sculptures from the late 1980s to mid-2000s.
Margaret speaks of being born in industrial outskirts of London (Dagenham to be exact) and how this had a great impact on her as an artist. Make sure to check out this incredibly captivating talk, HERE.
Be well and stay healthy.
Christine, Trish and Nicole
[email protected]
416-979-6660 ext 397