Living Instant at Propeller Art Gallery

Living Instant at Propeller Art Gallery / Collection of work by Propeller’s Emerging Members

In this exhibition I was pleased to explore a collection of work by Propeller’s emerging members, Sandamali Angunaela, Paige Bowen, Francis Pitsadiotis, and Firouzeh Saremi Far. This collection resonates with life’s rhythms, where the patter of rain mirrors subway cadences, and the texture of skin reflects fallen leaves. Living Instant connects themes of landscape and humanity. We are able to see Bowen and Far juxtapose calm and passion, while Pitsadiotis and Angunaela explore boldness and vulnerability. These works distill the world’s essence with heartfelt immediacy. This evocative collection truly encapsulates the world in its entirety, embracing its immediacy and vibrancy without hesitation.

Installation view of Living Instant at Propeller Art Gallery

“Evil and Full of Love” by Francis Pitsadiotis captivates me with its striking contrast of blue and orange/yellow colours, creating a visual tension that mirrors the complexity of its theme. The hybridized forms of nude human bodies and birds—a mother feeding her two children—evoke primal connections between sexuality, care, and nature. I am deeply drawn to the artist’s exploration of cycles and the “middled” state, where the body transcends traditional binaries and exists as both giver and receiver. This concept of being “middled” challenges the idea of fixed roles, presenting the body as transitional and interconnected. The piece suggests that life is not a series of oppositional states but a continuous process of becoming, where the body embodies multiplicity. This approach resonates with the way nature itself operates, with cycles of giving and receiving intertwined in every aspect of life. Furthermore, the hybridized bird-human forms powerfully convey this notion, as the mother simultaneously provides for her young and exists as part of a larger ecosystem of care and dependency. Lastly, there seems to be a third child that is rejected, a subtle element that adds another layer to the narrative. This rejection creates a tension that reflects the title “Evil and Full of Love”. The duality in the title suggests a paradox—how something nurturing and loving can simultaneously carry the weight of exclusion or cruelty. The rejected child might symbolize the darker aspects of care and connection: the inevitable sacrifices within cycles of giving, or the inability to nurture everything equally.

Francis Pitsadiotis, Evil and Full of Love, magazine collage and oil on canvas, 70 x 40 inches (left) and detail (right)

What really drew me to Paige Bowen’s “Moonlit Lake” was her beautiful and powerful colour palette. The soft, muted tones of pink, blue, yellow, and green blend effortlessly, evoking the quiet, tranquil feeling of a moonlit lake. These colours work together to create a sombre yet calming atmosphere that feels both intimate and reflective. I was particularly struck by the way Bowen used geometric shapes to construct the quilt, that felt like a refreshing departure from more traditional quilt patterns. This unique approach to form adds a distinct visual interest to the piece, and it’s something I haven’t seen in other works. The freemotion stitching further enhances the tactile quality of the fabric, creating delicate patterns that seem to flow naturally across the surface. These patterns add layers of texture and depth, giving the piece an organic feel, almost as if the moonlit lake is coming to life. I found myself drawn into this quiet, meditative space, as the fabric and stitching spoke to me in a personal way, creating a sense of peace and stillness that resonated deeply for me.

Paige Bowen, Moonlit Lake, quilted fabric with freemotion stitching, 10 x 7 inches (left) and detail (right)

I really liked “Quiet Tenacity” by Firouzeh Saremi Far because of its simplicity. It paradoxically holds a depth that I could easily get lost in. The use of straight lines and geometric angles creates a clean, organized structure I found visually pleasing. The three primary colours—green, blue, and orange—work beautifully together, with the contrast between the blue and green being particularly striking and vibrant. I love how Far uses different shades of green and blue to add depth and dimension, giving the scene a sense of richness despite its minimalistic design. Even though the composition itself is relatively simple, I could immediately connect with its calmness. It feels like a quiet moment captured on canvas where I found comfort.

Firouzeh Saremi Far, Quiet Tenacity, acrylic on canvas, 36 x 36 inches (left) and detail (right)

What truly captivated me in Sandamali Angunaela’s “Day by Day” is the intricate detail in the portrait, particularly the shading and line work on the face. The skilful use of pencil to capture the depth and texture of the skin adds a richness to the piece that makes it feel lifelike. I found the figure’s expression to be particularly striking, as it conveys a sense of quiet hope and resilience, allowing for a profound emotional connection. The choice to leave the figure’s sweater as the only coloured element, painted in blue, seemed very significant to me. I can’t help but wonder if it suggests some form of cultural or personal symbolism, adding layers of meaning to the otherwise monochromatic portrait. Angunaela’s artist statement adds further context, as it speaks to the unbelievable resilience of the subjects she captures with such grace, dignity, and love. The artist’s intention to portray real people with real lives, drawing from her travels and found photography, is evident in this piece. Through her work, she beautifully encapsulates the raw emotions of her subjects, unhindered by expectations or circumstances. It is the attention to detail in this piece that truly brings the artwork together.

Sandamali Angunaela, Day by Day, pencil on paper, 16.5 x 23 inches (left) and detail (right)

Living Instant at Propeller Art Gallery presents a captivating and diverse collection of its emerging members’ work, with each artist bringing their own unique perspective to the exhibition. Through the intricate pieces and abstract forms, the artists seamlessly bring together themes of humanity, vulnerability, resilience, and connection with nature. The exhibition invites viewers to pause and reflect on the complexities of life, offering both solace and contemplation.

Installation view of Living Instant at Propeller Art Gallery

Kaya Meziane

Images are courtesy of Propeller Art Gallery.

*Exhibition information: Living Instant / Group show, January 8 – 19, 2025, Propeller Art Gallery, 30 Abell St, Toronto. Gallery hours: Wed – Sat, 1 – 5:30pm, Sun 12 – 4pm.