Marco Bertuzzo, Allegories – Ambition, Watercolour, Archival ink on Archival Paper Mounted to Panel, 25” x 25”. Image courtesy of the artist
One can not ignore the irony of Marco Bertuzzo’s new exhibition, Hidden, as reaching the space at Coldstream Fine Art involves navigating the elevator and zigzagging hallway of 80 Spadina. Anticipation is built and rightfully so, Bertuzzo’s first ever-solo exhibition beguiles and excites. The young artist delivers a show that undoubtedly hides his inexperience, as bright colours and unbridled creativity pour through this series of surreal watercolours. The artist poignantly states that this body of work is an expression of how “we as society derive meaning from and imbue images with power”. The most eloquent examples are Bertuzzo’s three “Allegories,” whose roundel format and decided symbolism reflect the artist’s classical training. In particular, the “Allegory-Ambition” presents a powerful reimagining of the renaissance prototype, as a spacecraft and rocket collude with an antique spyglass and sailboat to remind one of the technological advances and ambition of human history. Inevitably, the modern viewer is forced to pause in attempts to unpack Bertuzzo’s implications; a rare occurrence in today’s world where the over consumption of media and imagery tend to reduce attention spans to mere seconds. Marco Bertuzzo has poignantly reminded us that art should be slowly digested, a process that allows one to absorb all it’s veiled meaning.
Meghan O’Callaghan
*Exhibition information: March 19 – April 20, 2016, Coldstream Fine Art, 80 Spadina Avenue Suite 208, Toronto. Gallery hours: Tue – Thurs, 12 pm – 7 pm, Fri – Sat, 12 pm – 5 pm.