Mark Viola’s First Solo Exhibition Explores the Art of Looking Beyond the Surface
Following a series of group exhibitions at Twist Gallery, Toronto-based artist Mark Viola returns with his first solo exhibition, Through. The milestone provides visitors the chance to view a collection of artwork that reflects years of research, observation and creative development and marks an exciting new chapter in Viola’s artistic journey.
Viola has developed a distinct visual language that combines expressionism, street art and traditional painting methods to integrate every brushstroke, drawing and revision into the final piece. He celebrates the creative process, allowing each layer to reveal how the painting has evolved over time.
Through challenges viewers to look beyond familiar faces and consider the complexity behind popular identification. The show examines the territory between the known and the unknown through portraits of major writers, singers, artists and cultural icons. Viola says “I think many of my subjects have a strong presence in the world, but there’s so much of them that's hidden. I try to get across in my artwork the parts of us that are hidden are just as much of our identity as the public side of us”. These characters are easily identified, but Viola considers them dynamic beings, shaped by the power of memory, experience, and transformation, not static symbols.
All the artwork in the exhibition contains pieces of text, early sketches and traces of previous decisions. These obvious layers are a metaphor for identity itself, suggesting that our identities are always changing and evolving over time. The paintings invite contemplation, allowing us to see both the work and the process that brought it into being.
Viola’s work is inspired by the energy of contemporary street art and the works of artists such as Edgar Degas and Jean-Michel Basquiat, combining expressive realism with careful composition. Viola states “I chose Basquiat as a subject for my painting because of my development as an artist and my education as an artist. Basquiat was someone who I saw as a force of nature that brought a sense of power and emotion to my paintings”. Technique and imperfection are fused in his works, and what is often hidden becomes an essential part of the experience of viewing.
Painting for Viola is not about creating an image but about being in a continuing cultural dialogue. He asks audiences to think about how identity is constructed, how perception affects understanding and how everyone has untold stories.
Through, Mark Viola's first solo show, marks a significant turning point in his career and provides viewers with a more in-depth look at his work. Visitors are encouraged to interact with paintings that are open rather than closed, where each layer unveils a different option and each viewing exposes something fresh.
Come explore Through with us at Twist Gallery and learn about a collection that serves as a reminder that the surface is just the beginning. Now until August 28th, this exhibition invites visitors to discover Mark Viola’s layered approach to portraiture and the stories hidden within each work. Join us for the Opening Reception on Thursday, August 13th from 6–9 PM for an evening celebrating Viola’s debut solo exhibition and his exploration of identity, process, and perception.