by Roy Bernardi and Jennifer Leskiw
Art Toronto is Canada’s leading art fair, held annually at the Metro Convention Centre located on Front Street in the vibrant downtown area of Toronto. It is the largest art fair in the country, showcasing works from both emerging young artists and established masters. Under the leadership of Mia Nielsen, the Director of Art Toronto, the fair has consistently thrived, with a new central theme introduced each year. This year, the focus is on Latin American art (Arte Sur), curated by Karen Huber, a Mexican curator and gallerist based in Mexico City. Huber is recognized for her innovative approach to presenting contemporary Latin American art from Central and South America. She has assembled 11 esteemed galleries for Art Toronto, which are featured in a dedicated section of the fair’s exhibition space. The participating galleries include Alejandra Topete Gallery from Mexico City, Mexico; Aninat Galería from Vitacura, Chile; BLOC Art from Lima, Peru; Crisis Gallery from Lima, Peru; deCERCA from San José, Costa Rica; Judas Galería from Valparaíso, Chile; Isabel Croxatto Galería from Santiago, Chile; PROXYCO Gallery from New York, USA (featuring Latin artists); Subsuelo from Rosario, Argentina; Swivel Gallery from New York, USA (featuring Latin artists); and The White Lodge from Buenos Aires, Argentina.
The Latin American focus is a must see. According to Huber, every art fair in the world needs a section for Latin American art. This huge continent brims with creativity encompassing all mediums resulting in fresh works touching upon all aspects of humanity stemming from young voices, indigenous peoples, well seasoned artists and those artists no longer alive. In talks with fellow colleagues, curators and friends, Huber feels Latin America is no longer seen as a minority. In her opinion, it has become very active in every country and in every city in the world and it is an important part of the economy. Huber feels it is essential to give visibility to Latin American artists in spaces like art fairs, galleries, museums and institutions. Many feel there has been a void in the art market for contemporary Latin American art. More galleries are now expanding to exhibit Latin American art opening the world to more conversations about art, to more story telling from different backgrounds and linking various cultures together. There is a growing curiosity among individuals regarding Latin American art. Individuals are increasingly seeking to travel to fairs in Latin America to witness and discover the wealth of offerings that this continent presents.
Although most galleries within the Art Fair showcase emerging contemporary artists, there are exceptions like Christopher Cutts Gallery booth A71, who highlights emerging talents such as Alexander Rasmussen alongside the renowned Canadian master Harold Town. Director Christopher Cutts made a noteworthy observation: “They positioned me in a corner this year, so I thought there was no more fitting artwork to display in that corner than Harold Town’s piece titled Tyranny of the Corner Puzzle Set from 1962”.
This year signifies a milestone for innovators Rob Cowley and Lydia Abbott, who are continually expanding the limits of art sales. Together, they operate Cowley Abbott, Canada’s Art Auctioneers, which specializes in showcasing and selling secondary market artworks both regionally and internationally. Their Private Sales section, featured within the auction house and exhibited at the Art Toronto art fair booth A51, highlights Canadian masters such as David Blackwood, A.J. Casson, and Franklin Carmichael, alongside international icons like Andy Warhol, Robert Rauschenberg, and Larry Poons.
The Rebecca Hossak Art Gallery, booth C54, located in London, UK, showcases two remarkable artworks by the artist Nikoleta Sekulovic, who was born in 1974 in Rome, Italy, and has German/Serbian heritage. Sekulovic is among the most sought-after artists represented by the gallery. Last year, she presented two pieces at Art Toronto, successfully selling both, and subsequently featured her work at Miami Basel, where several pieces sold out. Sekulovic is a contemporary figurative painter renowned for her vividly conceived portraits that pay tribute to iconic women throughout history. She employs a unique style that she has cultivated, characterized by a contemporary craftsmanship reminiscent of Pre-Raphaelite design.
The art fair offers a wonderful experience for those seeking inspiration and knowledge from the numerous art dealers and artworks displayed.