Ah well, I tried, I did. Blog, website, Facebook event page -it was a free dance event- and only a few friends came, John Oughton and Jennifer Hosein, along with two musicians, Nik Beat and John Charles Daly. Josef Hochleitner came for a short while and kindly took photographs and then said he was going to Downtown Camera to burn a disc for me, which was extraordinarily generous. I thank all those who came out - despite our intimate numbers, it was a fun afternoon of dance and jokes, photographs and giggles.
Jenn and I at the dance jam 18 Jan 2014 at Urban Gallery. Thanks Nik for taking the photo! — Brenda Clews and Jennifer Hosein at Urban Gallery.
Allan Clews, my dear brother, wrote: "The man who saw meaning in the movement of a cup in the wind; the one who attended the opening of the show and claimed he was led there by the Dali Lama and the Queen just to see that picture because doing so would set in motion certain energies... would love this picture.
He said the little figure in the upper right was the Goblin King (referencing the movie The Labyrinth) and said Obama WAS the Goblin King and he was under orders from the Archangel Michael and is acting as the lawful chief policeman of the world.
However, when the man saw the painting he told me it said that the energy of the Mother was now going to make itself known as a direct balance and counterweight.
...
Here it looks like the Mother's energy forms a chalice that constrains the Goblin King in a balanced embrace."
Which kind of threw me. Many people have commented on this painting. I have a lot to say about it, but am very busy at the moment. The other photos, and they are quite silly, in the spirit of the afternoon, too.
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KJ Mullins-Toronto: One of Toronto’s newest galleries Urban Gallery is opening 2014 strong with its current showing of Brenda Clews’ recent painting collection. Clews vibrant work features paintings from 2011-2014. The latest painting, Spilt Mask, a haunting golden charcoal of the artist, masks and humanity was just completed on January 5.
Clews has been on the Toronto art scene for over two decades combining her talents of poetry, spoken expression and painting. Several of the paintings at Urban Gallery have her haunting prose etched into the canvases making it impossible not to return to the work over and over for a new view. Her Mezzotints is particularly alluring. Each piece of Clews current collection is a vivid display of colour and technique, with no two pieces alike.
Calvin Hambrook opened Urban Gallery in November 2012 and is already booked for the year, an impressive feat. His love of the arts and local new artists is behind Urban Gallery’s appearance on the scene. Featuring artists that are on the rise Urban Gallery has the exciting feel of expression, creative talent and true appreciation of the artists behind the work on the walls. The crisp, light filled space is the perfect setting for Toronto’s artists to have their work displayed.
For three decades Hambrook has been the go to caterer of Toronto with UrbanSource Catering. He is excited for the future with both the catering company and his first art gallery.
Prices range from $300 to$2,600.
Urban Gallery
400 Queen Street East, Toronto
Hours of Operation:
Monday-Friday 10 AM to 5 PM
Saturday 1 PM to 6 PM
Closed Sundays & Holidays
Monday-Friday 10 AM to 5 PM
Saturday 1 PM to 6 PM
Closed Sundays & Holidays