Joseph Connolly

October 1st, 2016 marked a day in history for 94-year-old Joseph Connolly. It was on this day that an effervescent smile brushed his face while watching twenty-eight of his large-scaled paintings being installed before his eyes. It is now, several years later, that Connolly is reunited with a few of his beloved paintings, which were concealed in a Montréal storage. That Montréal storage was a time capsule of over a hundred pieces of Connolly’s artwork. A selection of his paintings are now being featured for the first time ever and Toronto’s Twist Art Gallery is playing host.

Before paintbrushes and stretched out canvas, Connolly was formally trained as a businessman; the owner of a women’s clothing company. By the time he was 50, he had sold the successful company to explore the road untraveled.

Connolly swapped his commerce way of thinking for an abstract way of looking at the world. He originally wanted to dip his toes in the arts by participating is a class or two to learn the various painting techniques. After being informed that he wasn’t allowed to take one class, and that he had to be a registered student, he took the plunge and enrolled at Concordia University, in Montréal, Québec. It was during the 1970’s that Concordia University embraced the young-at-heart artist and reconnected Connolly with an artistic passion that would consume him in his Montréal studio for 35 years.

Connolly’s current solo exhibition reflects the influences of his generation. His artwork varies from bold geometric abstraction to passionate brush strokes that paint the flower beds that resemble the fervor techniques of French Impressionist painter, Claude Monet.

It is now - because now is a better time than any – that the wisdom passed on from businessman and artist is being told with the support of his family. Connolly embodies the true meaning of art, what it means, and why we value it. At 94, Connolly is living proof that a person’s creative ambition is the patient warrior guiding us to our triumphant accomplishments.

Joseph Connolly. Photo Taken by Amie Lovan 

Joseph Connolly and his family. Photo taken by Amie Lovan 

 Joseph Connolly’s solo exhibition is being held at Twist Gallery, located at 1100 Queen St. West, Toronto. It is open to the public from Tuesday – Saturday: 11am – 6pm, October 1st to October 29th, 2016. 

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KINO SPACE: Artist Feature

Kino Space is currently on at Twist for the month of September. The show consists of several artists who work in the film industry with a diverse background in photography, painting and mixed media works. KINOSPACE began as a way for artists working in the film industry to get out of their working studio environments and create and collaborate together.  

This week we’d like to take a closer look at Shari Lee Hollis’s work and her process behind it. Shari creates large scale oil paintings on wood. Her work is inspired by personal notes to self, and things we need to remind ourselves of. A particular standout piece of hers in the show is three wood panels titled 'Let Go or Be Dragged'. Shari says this piece evolved from the idea of human nature’s pattern to often repeat a behaviour over and over hoping for a different outcome when what we really need to do is just let go for change or to move forward, saying that “sometimes we need a fix foot painting with a relevant message to push us forward!”

Shari was kind enough to share some images of work in progress.

Kino Space runs until September, so be sure to come by the gallery to see this and more in person.

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Peep The Technique: Gary Barnett

Gary Barnett is an abstract painter residing in Kitchener, ON. This month Gary's best works are being featuring in his solo exhibition, 'One Concept' here at Twist Gallery. We caught up with Gary at the opening reception for his show to learn about where he gets his inspiration and the techniques he uses in his work.

How have your past experiences in music and graphic design led you to pursue painting?

Well music, I got involved with music when I was very young actually. I started taking piano lessons when I was about ten years old. A little bit beyond that I got into new age music, which really is a more natural, organic type of music, so I think that got me interested in other forms of art, which led me into graphic design. I took graphic design in college and in that program I studied life drawing, which really inspired me to go more in the direction of fine art rather than graphic design.

Explain the philosophy or concept behind the artistic style in your paintings.

The concept for my paintings when I first started painting, I used to draw landscapes, flowers, trees, I think I was inspired by nature like most artists are. But I soon realized I was just copying nature and I wasn’t really happy with the results I was getting, so I wanted to experiment with trying to re-create nature. I guess it comes from the concept that all nature, all life in the universe is just chemistry and energy, we’re basically just a mass of energy floating through time and space, that was kind of the initial concept behind my art. Then I started using paint, mixing it with different chemicals, applying forces to the paint rather than controlling the paint with a brush or a knife or other traditional tools. I started blowing the paint, using gravity to control the paint, vibration, and mixing different chemicals with the paint to see what kind of results I could get. Basically the idea is that I wanted to create a natural event on the canvas, actually re-create life on the canvas, or as close as I could get to that.

You have a unique method of painting that combines paint and natural forces. Can you explain this technique?

The technique is again based on the fact that all life is chemistry, and through experimenting with different chemicals , mixing different types of paint together, I use different forces to control the paint. I have a table that I work on that’s about eight feet long and about four feet wide with a glass top. So what I do is I lay a canvas on the table, soak it so it’s really flat, and then I start pouring the paint on the canvas and start using forced air to blow the paint, add different chemicals with the paint, I mix different types of paint together. One thing I’ve discovered is that at a molecular level, acrylic paint and different types of paint are very similar to organic life. So when you mix them together and apply energy to them you can get very interesting, natural results that appear, fine details and things that happen in nature that you see in plants or frost on a window for example, and you can get that by manipulating the different types of paints.

What do you want people to feel when they see your work?

I guess I want them to feel the same way that they would feel looking at a sunset or looking at an ocean or just looking at nature. I think a lot of paintings, they create the mood or they depict that scene but you don’t really feel that energy or feel that connection with nature and that’s what I’m trying to depict with my paintings, to re-create that emotion that you feel when you look at nature.

What sets your work apart from other abstract painters?

What would set me apart is the fact that all of my paintings are all based on this one central concept of energy, nature and life, and in effect trying to re-create nature on the canvas, and I think a lot of painters, they create a concept, each painting has its own message or it own concept, whereas for me all of my style of paintings relates to one central concept, which I think makes me different than most painters.

Where/how can people learn more about you and get in touch?

The best way to get in touch with me is through my website at www.garybarnett.ca. There’s links to all my social media on there and also my e-mail.

Gary's exhibit, 'One Concept' is open to the public until December 12th, check our Exhibitions section or go to www.garybarnett.ca for more info on the exhibit and Gary's work.

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Planning Your Event at Twist

Whether it is a wedding, corporate event, seminar or any kind of celebration, it is our passion to deliver to our clients a personalized and unforgettable experience here at Twist Gallery. Over the past 6 years we have hosted countless events ranging from wedding receptions, to yoga seminars, to corporate conferences to virtual reality film festivals and we have had a blast doing it. In working with our event partners we have the ability to give our clients an acting role in planning their event down to the smallest detail, and this is what keeps our clients coming back.

Through working with some of Toronto’s most notable catering organizations we are able to make the food at your event a major hit with your guests. With top-notch presentation, quality control and creativity our caterers can impress even the most skeptical foodies. Whether your event calls for a 5-course meal, or simply snacks and appetizers, our caterers have proven over the years that food will be a major hit with your guests.

Consider our 5,000 square foot venue as a blank canvas that can be fully customized and transformed into your ideal event space. With fully customizable furniture, bar, food, lighting and sound options you can make your dream event a reality. Call us today to get started on planning your next big event with Twist Gallery.

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KINO SPACE

Kino, the word for cinema in several languages, has become synonymous with a cinematic movement that encourages non-competitive creativity and community amongst filmmakers internationally. KINOSPACE is committed to spotlighting Canada’s screen-based artists by showcasing works from a diversity of backgrounds, provinces, mediums and formats including: film imagery as photographic stills; short films; painting; photography; and mixed-media works.

                                                                                                                      Works by Youri Makovski

KINOSPACE began as a way for artists working in Canada’s film industry, unionized and independent filmmakers, craftspeople and technicians to get out of the studios and collaborate together. Launching this exhibition during the month of September enriches the film festival spirit in the city by broadening and opening doors for artists to participate and engage in Toronto’s major celebration of cinema while exhibiting a broad spectrum of image art talent from Canada’s community of film makers.

                                                                                                    Works by Annie Bradford Metheany

The exhibit features work by Chagall Velleneuve-Hollis, Shari Lee Hollis, Youri Makovski, Jack Ruttan, Jeremy Kane, Frances Mckenzie, Annie Bradford Metheany, Debbie Wong and Jasmine Mujkanovic. Each artist brings a unique artistic style to the table and showcases their creative abilities aside from those they demonstrate in Canada’s film industry. Twist Gallery invites you to experience the pieces on display in KINOSPACE that cumulatively resonate a deeply genuine and organic portrayal of each artist’s talents apart from the film industry. 

                                                                                                                      Works by Shari Lee Hollis

                                                                                                                        Works by Debbie Wong

                                                                                                              Works by Jasmine Mujkanovic

                                                                                              Works by Jeremy Kane and Jack Ruttan

                                                                                                                  Works by Frances Mckenzie

                                                                                                       Work by Chagall Velleneuve-Hollis

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Output - Spring at Twist Gallery

This month at Twist Gallery we are proud to be featuring photographic work by alumni of Humber College’s renowned Creative Photography Program. The diversity of approaches to photography is quite broad and each artist has done a stunning job of putting their own twist on the conventions of photography.

 In the spirit of the annual CONTACT photography festival that spans across Toronto for the month of May, we have focused this month’s exhibit on photography. It is an interesting time in the world of photography as the tools needed to experiment with photography are now readily available to almost everyone. Almost all mobile devices these days now have built-in cameras to utilize, many more people have their own camera, and quality has become evermore affordable. Social media has also opened the door for the masses to photography, with apps like Instagram that allow anyone to have a chance to develop their own photographic style.

Last month’s exhibition “Reverie” featured the portfolios of photographic work by students graduating from Humber’s Creative Photography Program this year. If you checked it out you would have seen the works of talented emerging photographers. It is interesting to see where the artists in this month’s exhibit are at in their photographic journey knowing they too were once curating their own portfolios for graduation. We invite you to experience the work that these alumni have produced in their artistic journey since their graduation from Humber’s Creative Photography Program.

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Weddings and Other Events at Twist

Over the years we have hosted so many beautiful weddings and created memories that will last a lifetime for all of our guests. Whether you are looking for a space to hold your wedding ceremony, corporate or social event, Twist Gallery is happy to meet all of your event needs. From catering, to sound equipment, to furniture and floral design, our guests have been able to plan with us and our partners to create the perfect atmosphere for their special day and/or event. Give us a call or send us an e-mail with any inquiries you may have regarding hosting your event at Twist Gallery and we will work together to make your desired event a reality. 

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Still Life Opening Reception

This month at Twist Gallery we are hosting the Still Life Group Exhibit, featuring a group of talented Canadian artists who have each put their own dynamic touch on the Still Life art form. Similar to real life, Still Life isn't always a bowl of oranges. As beautiful as a simple bowl of oranges can be, the artists featured in the exhibit have each brought something new to the timeless art form of Still Life. Come check out the Still Life Group Exhibit until February 27th, Tuesday to Saturday 11am - 6pm.

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Abstraction: An Exploration into the Unknown

When one thinks of abstract art generally what comes to mind is a broad art style for which no rules apply. When an artist embarks on an abstract project it does grant them a great deal of artistic freedom however some rules do apply. Colour, line, shape and form must all be present and there must be very little indication of a visual reference to real-world objects.

Abstract art came about in the early 19th century when artists were gaining more artistic freedom and the ability to make a living out of their art due to the public’s growing interest in art and the diminishing need for artists to depend on the church for business. This caused artists to leave behind the artistic ideals that lingered since the renaissance in which art’s main goal seemed to be to imitate as closely as possible real life settings and to represent three-dimensional perspectives. Rather, artists began incorporating styles derived from Romanticism, Expressionism and Impressionism and began an exploration into the unknown.

This month we invite you to experience how a handful of talented Canadian artists have continued that exploration into abstraction through a variety of mediums in A Departure from Reality: The Abstract Collective.

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