Rochelle Rubinstein and Jennifer Lindsay at Open Studio – A Journey Through Voicelessness and Resistance
Spiral installation view at the hidden center of the display, mixed media including woodblock, ink drawing, painting, collaging, each book page 5.5” x 3.5”, 132” x 5.5” when open
The concept of voicelessness—whether through the barriers of language, societal oppression, or internalized silence—finds its voice in the powerful installation Drawing a Blank by artists Rochelle Rubinstein and Jennifer Lindsay. This compelling exhibition at Open Studio invites visitors to navigate an immersive, labyrinthine environment, where the tangled threads of human experience are captured through a fusion of art, sound, and narrative. Through their collaborative efforts, Rubinstein and Lindsay conjure a multi-sensory experience that explores themes of delayed language recall, familial tensions, and the complexities of resistance in an era marked by “extreme censorship and self-censorship.” At the heart of Drawing a Blank is a spiral-shaped labyrinth made of suspended, accordion-folded books. Each book, which stretches ten feet in length, hangs from the ceiling in a manner that defies the traditional, linear experience of reading. This visual disorientation mirrors the thematic exploration of language and communication where the typical flow of thought and narrative is upended. Visitors are invited to step into a space where the usual rules of engagement are abandoned and they are free to explore Rubinstein’s mixed media works in any direction they choose, creating a fragmented yet intimate relationship with the artwork.
Close-up view of the display books, mixed media including woodblock, ink drawing, painting, collaging, each book page 5.5” x 3.5”, 132” x 5.5” when open.
The hanging books, with their intricate woodblock prints, ink drawings, paintings, and embroidered elements, speak to the vulnerability of human experience. Rubinstein’s hand-written text offers glimpses into the delicate and often painful inner worlds of her subjects—interwoven with depictions of human frailty and the haunting realities of displacement. The themes of repression, ritual, and desire, weave a beautiful display of personal and universal struggles.
As visitors meander through the labyrinth, an evocative soundscape, created by Lindsay, adds another layer to the immersive experience. The looped soundscape features speakers sharing fragments of phrases, thoughts, and stories that reflect the silencing effects of voicelessness. Through Lindsay’s careful curation of sound, the audience is invited to experience the weight of unspoken words, the internal monologues that never fully surface, and the dissonance between thought and communication. It is in the center of the spiral that visitors are invited to sit, absorbing both the visual and auditory elements, and engage with the paradox of drawing a blank—where silence becomes a space for both reflection and revelation.
“WAKE UP,” close-up view of the display books, mixed media including woodblock, ink drawing, painting, collaging, each book page 5.5” x 3.5”, 132” x 5.5” when open.
Rubinstein and Lindsay bring together a convergence of personal history, artistic technique, and social commentary. Rubinstein, a Toronto-based printmaker, painter, fabric and book artist, brings her long-established practice of using mixed media to explore the complexity of human experience. As a facilitator of workshops for diverse populations—ranging from survivors of intimate partner violence to at-risk youth—Rubinstein’s art has become a tool for healing and personal expression. She continues this important work at Bela Farm in Hillsburgh, Ontario, where art and activism intersect.
Jennifer Lindsay, an interdisciplinary artist and researcher, expands the scope of this collaboration with her exploration of social and psychological experiences. As a writer, director, producer, and sound artist, Lindsay’s work has examined the intersection of art and science, with particular emphasis on the impact of acquired brain injury and communication disorders. Her soundscapes, which have supported communities such as those with acquired brain injuries, serve to elevate the sensory aspects of Drawing a Blank, adding an emotional depth that engages both the intellect and the body.
Together, Rubinstein and Lindsay have created an environment where language is both present and absent, inviting visitors to confront the complexities of communication. Whether through the tension of silence or the messiness of fragmented thought, the installation serves as a meditation on how we express, repress, and ultimately find our way back to voice.
“I love you,” close-up view of the display books, mixed media including woodblock, ink drawing, painting, collaging, each book page 5.5” x 3.5”, 132” x 5.5” when open.
As visitors step into the heart of the spiral, they are encouraged not only to see the intricate layers of Rubinstein’s visual art and to listen to the nuanced soundscape created by Lindsay, but also to consider their own relationships with voice, memory, and resistance. Drawing a Blank is not just an exhibition; it is an invitation to participate in an ongoing conversation about the ways in which we are all shaped by the silences, struggles, and the stories we carry.
Text and photo: Yehyun Lee
*Exhibition information: Drawing a Blank by Rochelle Rubinstein and Jennifer Lindsay, January 9 – March 8, 2025, Open Studio, 401 Richmond St West, Suite 104. Gallery hours: Tuesday – Friday 1 am – 5 pm, Saturday 12 – 5 pm.
A very thoughtful discussion of a beautiful and personal exhibition.