Opening Night: Wednesday, October 21, 2015 / 4 – 6 p.m.
Joey & Toby Tanenbaum Opera Centre
227 Front Street East
Despite being smaller in size and much younger, Feature Contemporary Art Fair offers an exquisitely curated group of contemporary works from leading Canadian galleries that rivals, in quality for sure, and probably will exceed in the future the volume of Art Toronto.
Patrick Mikhail Gallery, Montreal, with Andrew Wright’s sculpture and Amy Schissel’s painting
I had a really good time there for many reasons. There is no need to rush at Feature. Comprised by only 29 galleries, the fair allows the visitor to focus and enjoy each and every work in a very intimate way. Also, personal interaction with gallery owners and exhibiting artists is guaranteed.
Clint Roenisch, Toronto
Monte Clark Gallery, Vancouver
Division Gallery, Toronto
You don’t feel like you are in a trade show. The fair’s architecture and distribution offer a novel way to exhibit. Trapezoidal booths opening towards the public provide a more organic space, streamlining movement and allowing the works to be seen from different perspectives.
Battat Contemporary, Montreal
Guests at Laroche/Joncas, Montreal
Feheley Fine Arts, Toronto, with guests
You won’t see Picasso. Dedicated to contemporary art only, the fair offers the newest, most cutting edge work made in Canada, preventing you from an overload of Modernist landscapes or abstractions.
Katzman Contemporary, Toronto, with work of Meryl McMaster
Lisa Kehler Art + Projects, Winnipeg
Stephen Bulger, director of Stephen Bulger Gallery, Toronto, with guests
Feature’s galleries are taking chances. Bigger, bolder works are abundant, such as Nicolas Lachance violet work made of carbon paper ink, Mathieu Gaudet colossal ‘sticks’ sculpture, or Michel de Broin colourful ensambles. These gallery owners are not afraid of colour, new materials or ephemeral qualities.
Equinox Gallery, Vancouver
Galerie René Blouin, Montreal, with Nicholas Lachance’s work
The “Hoard” by Dean Baldwin is built with props from the Canadian Opera Company – the art fair happens at the COC headquarters. This site-specific installation is not only beautiful and intriguing, but it is also a great spot to recharge before heading to the second floor exhibition booths.
At the VIP lounge
See you there.
Text and photo: Mauricio Contreras-Paredes
*Exhibition information: October 22 – 25, 2015, Joey & Toby Tanenbaum Opera Centre, 227 Front Street East, Toronto. Hours: Thu 12 – 6, Fri 12 – 8, Sat 11 – 7, Sun 11 – 5 p.m.