P~R~E~S~S

R~E~L~E~A~S~E

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE-April l997

ARTFOCUS FIRST SPRING ARTISTS'SHOW
IS "MINI" TORONTO ARTFAIR



Tree of Toronto #2, a corten steel sculpture by Spanish/ American artist Angel Orensanz & Listening Head, a painted steel sculpture by Torontonian Scott Childs, joined The Meeting Place, by Ritchie Sinclair, a fluorescent mural depicting the multicultural ethnicity of Canada, as feature exhibits of the ARTFOCUS 1ST SPRING ARTISTS' SHOW in Callatrava's The Galleria at BCE Place in Toronto from April 1-4, l997.

The aboriginal-inspired mural by Star Dreamer (aka Ritchie Sinclair), consisting of 28 linked canvas panels, was created as the centre piece of the lst Toronto International Pow Wow at the Skydome in Toronto in l994. Ritchie occupies a unique place in the Canadian pantheon of artists as the Scottish - lineage protege of Ojibway shamanistic artist Norval Morrisseau. The mural depicts the native legends of the formation of North America , contrasted with Toronto's contemporary architecture, like the CN Tower." It is 20th century Canada's version of the native totem pole," says Ritchie. It includes a cameo contribution by fellow Morrisseau protege, native artist Brian Marion and remained on view at BCE Place to mid-April.

    The exhibitors, drawn largely from the Internet across Canada, included visual artists: Sharon Amir, Serge Deher, Lon Duva, Alan Gaensbauer, & Deborah Gilbert (Toronto), Merike Lugus (Cobourg), David Noseworthy (South Lancaster), Darlene Tincher, (Regina, Saskatchewan), Stephen Yau (Richmond Hill), Mirjana (Yorkville Co-Op), Nelson Surette (Acadian from Yarmouth, Nova Scotia), Annette Blady & Al Van Mill (Thornhill).

    Representing the alternate art scene in Toronto was a group show of 40 artists from the newly-formed Spadina co-op gallery, Propeller. This was sponsored by Toronto lawyer, George E. Eyre.

    Also on view was a selection of recent works by Toronto artists from The Art Collection of Upper Canada Brewery.Upper Canada also hosted the ARTFOCUS Opening Party for exhibitors & their friends at the Brewery on the evening of April 1.

    The opening ceremonies & awards were covered by CBC Late Night TV on April 1st. The show was enlivened daily with live classical jazz piano performances by Alan Gaensbauer and vocals by Brian Roman.

    Jurors for the awards offered by art suppliers and ARTFOCUS magazine were Gallery Directors Jennifer Leskiw, Gallery 7 (Yorkville) and Jamie Angell, The Angell Gallery (Queen Street West). Awards were selected as follows: Best in Show,(a portfolio from ARTFOCUS magazine) for her Dada shoes made of hair clippings, Mary Anne Benusis (Propeller); Best in Oils (Edvard Munch Aqua Oils from Harstrupt Associates Ltd.),Gideon Tomaschoff ( Propeller); Best in Acrylics, (Demco Water Soluble Oils courtesy Grand & Toy, Yonge & Bloor), Susan Stewart (Propeller); Best in watercolour (Karat Liquia water-soluble wax colours from Staedtler-Mars, Toronto) to Stephen Yau; Best in Mixed Media (water-colouring crayons from Staedtler-Mars) to Lon Duva; Best in Sculpture (a book from ARTFOCUS) to Merike Lugus.

    For Further Information & Photos Contact:

    Pat Fleisher @ ARTFOCUS MAGAZINE

    Tel 416/925-556 Fax 416/925-2972

    E-Mail < Info@artfocus.com>