This art is all about anger
The Anti-Capitalist Resistance Comic Book is the second graphic novel from activist Gord Hill. It is a chronicle of several anti-capitalist and anti-globalization movements over the last two decades, from…
Visual art
Shunpo into the new year
I’ve been looking for nice ways to start the new year. Typically, I am diligent about making reviews of past years, goals for upcoming years, a handful of resolutions –…
Do grassroots archives have a future? – Exhibition from archive of activist histories
About 30 people gathered in Toronto last night to discuss what many hope will grow into a movement for archiving grassroots histories. The public meeting was organized by Ulli Diemer…
Life in Gaza is no day at the beach – Beach by video artist Guli Silberstein
In this 2006 work by Israeli-born, London-based video artist Guli Silberstein, painful footage from the infamous Israeli shelling of a beach in Gaza is juxtaposed with scenes of a happy…
SkyMall Liberation: White vs Non-White
Ethnographic data visualizations of the Skymall catalog made in flight with non-sharp objects.
An Era of Discontent – Political art takes over Kamloops Art Gallery
A political art exhibition was not what I was expecting to find when I visited Kamloops, a small city located in the interior of BC, so I was not only…
How Many Gallons per Hour? – Water Portraits brings water usage closer to home
In the excitement at finally convincing his father to be the first subject of his water portraits, Peter Holmes poured cold water over his father’s head. A surprise to both…
Guernica brings Picasso’s grotesque cubist forms to life through theatre
I am no stranger to war history or art history, having studied both in some depth at university. So the idea of attending a play based on Pablo Picasso’s painted…
Why the Paul Frank powwow apology matters
The rise of fast fashion is unfortunate for many reasons: the proliferation of disposable clothing; the unethical sweatshop labour required to keep up with it; the additional motivations for teenagers…
Art in the age of political absurdity
“The strength of our American-ness lies in our ability to question, to look frankly at the nation’s past and present, and to ask if we are living up to our…
An art exhibition hidden in plain sight
Street artist JR’s pasted eye watches the corner of Berry St and South 5 in Williamsburg, NY. If you happen to be walking around Williamsburg this month, you’ll likely pass…
Blasphemous maggot artist erects new illegal billboards
Provocative Polish artist Peter Fuss is back with a new pair of guerrilla billboards. Each monochrome board is wallpapered with 36 depictions of an US one-dollar bill, with the text…
Blu mural tackles Italy’s Chernobyl
Italian street artist Blu has created a towering critique of the militarization of Sardinia. His latest mural depicts the devastating impact that industrialization and military bases have had on the…
Brandalism – Taking back public space for public debate
Twenty-four artists, 37 spots, 5 cities, 8 months. While millions of eyes look to London this week, these small numbers come together for a big purpose. Brandalism, a ‘crew’ and…
Banksy the Olympian
Bansky posted a couple new pieces to his site that comment on the Olympics. It also gives me a great excuse to share my favourite quote of his with you:…
Walking as art to avoid global catastrophe – Review: The Robinson Institute by Patrick Keiller at Tate Britain
Portrait of Patrick Keiller. (Photo: Samuel Drake) It is not always the case that definitive moments in art history can be precisely located. Certainly not the first act of artistic…
Invocation of the Queer Spirits – Book review: Queer Spirits by AA Bronson and Peter Hobbs
Invocation of the Queer Spirits (Governor’s Island) – AA Bronson There is always a certain magic to be found in the moment of queering. As bodies are opened to unsanctioned…
The art of roadkill – A conversation with artist Kate Puxley
Kate Puxley is a visual artist whose work has drawn attention to the Harper government’s damaging policies toward art and culture as well as our relationship with animals and the…
The Hole Truth and Nothing but the Truth
The Hole Truth comes in two parts: altered US flags and drawings on vintage police shooting targets. In order to create his first show at envoy enterprises, German-born, New-York based…
In Afghanistan you risk your life to sing – The ROM displays photos by Larry Towell, Donovan Wylie and "Afghan Star"
Those interested in the reality of Afghanistan and located in Toronto can take in the photographic works of Larry Towell and Donovan Wylie at the ROM along with a showing…