January 22, 2008 | Download PDF
Spence Gallery Hosts Black History Month Art Exhibit at the Gladstone Hotel
To launch Black History Month Spence Gallery will present Legacy featuring the works of five of its artists in a three-day exhibit. From Friday, February 1 to Sunday, February 3, the public will be able to view and purchase contemporary pieces ranging from $300 to $6,000.
The artists will be present at the opening reception on Friday, February 1 starting at 7:00 p.m. This makes for a great evening out as it coincides with the Gladstone's launch of its World Music series. On Friday evening there will be two performances at the Gladstone; Ruth Mathing (Sudan) from 7 – 10 p.m. in the Melody Bar and from 10 p.m. Cameroonian N'Jacko Backo will bring the Ballroom alive. www.gladstonehotel.com
To complement the exhibit on Sunday, February 3 starting at 3:00 p.m. Anne-Marie Woods (Amani) will perform her lyrical and powerful style of poetry. Amani is known as the Contemporary Blues poet, she weaves in and out of singing and issuing her lyrical truths with ease. With such hits as Flat Belly Blues, Free and I Am An Artist, you will truly love her unique delivery of the Word, the Spoken Word.
This is a great opportunity to view the eclectic collection of works from Spence Gallery artists over a three day period in the grand 2nd floor space of the Gladstone Hotel. These five African-Canadians illustrate their African heritage through art:
Rosslyn Berot-Burns powerfully depicts Trinidadian folklore characters and symbols in her large canvases masterfully using light to create a range of moods.
Opal Dunbar-Adams portraits and figurative works of women are hauntingly beautiful and seem to carry secrets the viewer must discover.
Hawa Kaba's mixed-media work weaves fabrics, papers and other materials into a patchwork of contemporary pieces inspired by her West African roots.
Izzeldinn Kojour's watercolour paintings combine Arabic influences, an Eastern flavour and African symbols and motifs to express the uniqueness of Sudan's cultural intermarriage.
Miranda Mafe interprets and illustrates Nigerian Yoruba proverbs with witty scepticism.
Exhibition Hours:
Friday, February 1: 7 – 11 p.m.; Saturday, February 2: 12 – 6 p.m; Sunday, February 3: 12 – 6 p.m.
SPENCE GALLERY, located at 588 Markham St (Bathurst & Bloor), is a one-of-a-kind gallery in Toronto. The gallery was founded to share culturally diverse artistic expressions. It provides a taste of contemporary art of Caribbean, Latin American and African artists and the Diaspora. It is dedicated to diversity and celebrates the cultural influences of the artists.
For further information and to set up interviews with the artists please contact Joan Spence, Director - 416 795 2787