ABSTRACTS 2023
Online juried exhibition, with playlist and PDF publication
JUROR: Gary Evans
DEADLINE: Sunday, April 23, 2023, by midnight
ONLINE EXHIBITION LAUNCH: TBA
Abstract thought is often understood as theoretical, conceptual, intellectual, ethical, or metaphysical. Whereas Abstract Art is generally understood as a type of visual expression that pushes past the boundaries of pictorial representation. For the purposes of this CALL, we loosely define Abstract Art as an artistic practice that is as migratory as artists’ ability to manifest simple or complex content within fluid or non-representational fields.
ABSTRACTS 2023 invites entries from contemporary artists from anywhere in the world to submit artwork that kicks at our moment in time using the tools of abstraction such as geometric patterns, organic and/or architectonic line, colour, texture, and forms. This online exhibition will act as a showcase for contemporary abstract artists. Submissions may include media/techniques as wide-ranging as drawing, painting, sculpture, assemblage, collage, or text.
All accepted artworks will be published as part of an online slide show with a playlist and downloadable PDF publication.
ABOUT THE JOHN B. AIRD GALLERY
The John B. Aird Gallery (1985-present) is a self-funded non-profit public art gallery with a director/curator, a managing board, and charitable-tax-status. The Gallery hosts up to nine exhibits per year, many accompanied by online publications, plus our annual Mistletoe Magic fundraiser. These exhibits provide participation opportunities for up to four hundred artists year upon year.
The Aird prides itself on being inclusive, hosting several large-group shows (online or in-situ), and two or three annual Arts Council and/or Scotiabank CONTACT Festival of Photography-funded exhibits that pay CARFAC fees.
The Gallery’s mission is to provide a generous, safe contemporary art exhibition space where visual culture can be shared and explored by an audience as diverse as its makers. We believe visual culture inspires, engages, and amplifies Toronto’s communities.
In September 2019 the Aird Gallery moved from the provincial-government buildings at Bay and Wellesley to a temporary location on West-Queen-West. We foresee returning to our 3,500-square-foot space on the second floor in the Macdonald Block before the end of the decade.
BIOGRAPHY:
Gary Evans was born in Weston Super Mare, England and resides in Alliston, Ontario. His painting challenges traditional notions of perception and experience of the Canadian landscape. Of his more than twenty solo exhibitions highlights include a touring survey exhibition of his work, Seeing Things: The Paintings of Gary Evans, curated by Stuart Reid, with a catalogue, which toured Canada between 2000-2002 as well as a survey of paintings, Station, curated by James Patten at The Art Gallery Of Windsor in 2008 and a fifteen-year survey, Farther Afield, curated by Renee van der Avoird at the MacLaren Art Centre, Barrie, ON, in 2016. Evans is a graduate of the Ontario College of Art and Design and is the Coordinator of the School of Design And Visual Art, Georgian College, Barrie, ON. Evans has been exhibiting at PPCA since 1995.
KEY DATES & DETAILS
DEADLINE
Sunday, April 23, 2023, by midnight
ONLINE EXHIBITION LAUNCH
TBA
*Note: Due to the volume of submissions we apologize in advance for any inconvenience caused by our delays. Our juror(s) review every submission carefully and we ask for your patience during this process. Only selected artists will be contacted. Thank you for your understanding.
APPLICATION DETAILS
- Artists can submit up to two works.
- Image files must be as follow:
- File names must be labelled Last Name_First Name, Title.jpg
- Example: Smith_Jane, Morning Doves.jpg
- Images can be in jpeg/jpg/png format.
- Should have a max dpi of 200.
- File size cannot exceed 2MB
- Submit original works only.
- Please note that improperly named files may not be recorded or will be lost in our system.
ENTRY FEE
The entry fee is $50 and covers entry up to 2 works per artist. It is non-refundable and can be paid upon submitting your application. Funds collected go towards making this exhibition possible.
SALES
Artists will be informed of sales. The gallery asks for a 30% donation/commission on all sales.
DRAWING 2023
Online juried slide exhibition, with playlist and PDF publication
JUROR: GIUSEPPE DI LEO
The John B. Aird Gallery is celebrating its 24th edition of this annual juried exhibition showcasing drawings by contemporary artists from immediate locations and beyond. For this exhibition, a drawing is defined as an art form used to either to create a finished work of art or draft ideas that are further developed in other media. This broad definition is intended to open the exhibition to entries reflecting a wide variety of contemporary drawing materials, techniques, and practices from anywhere in the world that you draw.
All accepted artworks will be published as part of an online slide show with a playlist and downloadable PDF publication.
BIOGRAPHY:
Giuseppe Di Leo is a Tiohtià:ke/Montreal-based visual artist who maintained a studio practice in drawing and watercolour spanning over four decades. He holds a BFA from Concordia University, and an MFA from York University. Concurrent to his practice, Di Leo has held teaching positions at Dawson College (1984-2017) and at Concordia University (1984 -2020) and was co-founder of the Warren G. Flowers Art Gallery (2002-2014) where he served as director and curator since its inception. He has participated in several solo and group exhibitions held in cultural institutions and private galleries in Canada, US, Mexico, and Italy. His artworks have been reviewed in various publications and are featured in museum, corporate, and private collections. His drawings creatively navigate the space between biographical and global concerns that address the complexities of human beings and their relationship to the environment. He is presently co-curating a group drawing exhibition Éphémère imaginares (2023), an experimental convergence of artworks and soundscape to explore the transitory nature of our humanity over an interval of time.
ONLINE EXHIBITION LAUNCH: Late April/Early May 2023