Akin Studio Program Member Highlights Blog #3: Jason Bomers, Yani Gellman & Tiana Robinson

In the grand finale of our blog series highlighting members of the Akin Studio Program at Auto BLDG, we’re thrilled to introduce three more talented artists who have been busy creating and exploring in the studio during this culminating year. Learn more about their creative work, inspiration, process and more below!

As we say goodbye to this transformative Studio Program, we extend a warm invitation for you to join us in the studio on Floor 4 of the Auto BLDG, 158 Sterling Road, on October 14th, from 12-4pm, for a captivating Open Studio Day. Join us as we swing open the doors to the public, celebrating the remarkable journey of our talented artists.

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Jason Bomers

An image of Jason Bomers’ work, a photo collage of a man in an apron, holding a pumpkin pie. In the room he sits in, there’s a red wall filled with framed photos of pumpkins, he wears a red sweater vest, and his face is fragmented, with two images of his face collaged side by side but not exactly lining up in angle. On the floor are rotting pumpkins, and the tile floor dissolves to flowers and grass by his feet. 

Jason Bomers is an artist living in the west end of Toronto with his partner and two daughters. Jason's work is based in photography but often uses elements of performance or painting or sculpture. Jason’s current work explores masculinity, and the lack of vulnerability in men. There is a dark humorous quality to Jason’s work; what makes the viewer laugh also exposes the tight restrictions men are confined to. 

“Supporting myself and my family doesn't allow me as much time as I would like in the studio. I do spend a lot of time thinking about my projects and when I do have time, I'm hyper-productive. If my work is performative, it takes some time to work up the nerve, but this also informs me that the process is worth it. The understanding of the artwork often comes in the production and with it comes a sense of accomplishment and relief.”

“Right now I'm inspired by films made pre-WW2. I really like the masculinity played out in this era where men danced and were silly and no one ever questioned them for it.”

An image of Jason Bomers’ work, a painting and collage of a merry-go-round in motion, against a cityscape at night. In the center, a shirtless man in army pants and a crown rides one of the horses on the merry-go-round. His face is smiling, reminiscent of a caricature.

Jason Bomers sits in his studio, smiling. His hair and beard is salt and pepper. He wears a blue button-up shirt and green pants. Behind him is an image of two men in bed, with a small dog, one is reading “The complete films of Charlie Chaplin,” the next man, who looks like Charlie Chaplin, is reading “How to Become a Successful Artist”. 

Where is your favorite place in the city to buy/get art supplies, tools and materials? 
It used to be Woolfit's, which then turned to Currys and then sadly closed. Gwartzman's has been a go to for 25+ years. I'm often finding costumes at Value Village and Salvation Army on Bloor.

What is the most inspiring place in the city for you right now? 
The Humber River continues to inspire me. I love the history of it, how the urban meets nature here. I was there recently and saw 2 egrets and a great blue heron fishing. It's a hidden gem.

What is your favorite place in the city to view art? 
The AGO continues to have a lot of good shows and every time I visit I find something that inspires me. Daniel Faria, Patel Brown and Stephen Bulger are my favourite commercial galleries in the city and luckily walking distance from my house.

Find More of Jason’s work on his website and via partial gallery

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Yani Gellman

A dramatic still of a man and woman embracing against a black backdrop. The man is wearing a coral bow in his hair, wearing a black shirt. The woman is wearing a red shirt, and is leaning against his shoulder. 

Yani Gellman began his acting training at Claude Watson School for the Arts, and went on to study performance at the U of T Drama Program. After university, Yani began acting in film and television - starring in the films The Lizzie McGuire Movie and 47 Meters Down, and in the television shows Pretty Little Liars, 90210 and Bosch. He is now also focusing on producing his own stories - his directorial debut "Greetings, from the Planet Krog!" won the 2020 Spirit of Slamdance Award. Yani is the lead of the horror-comedy "Departing Seniors", which premieres at the Chicago International Film Festival later this month.

“I try to start the day with an easy task to gain confidence and get in the zone. I'll listen to some music and tinker with an old project before digging into new stuff. I've really started leaning into the idea of having multiple projects on the go, which I think is how my brain actually works, instead of trying to just focus on one project, which was my approach for a long time. So far it has felt good but we'll see how it goes!”

“I bike ride listening to music a lot, which gives me a lot of time to reflect on my work and personal experiences, while the city whizzes by. Music by Tim Hecker and the soundtrack to Dawson City: Frozen in Time are personal favorites.”

An image of a face pressed into a sheet, the image is in the negative, where lights and darks are reversed. The mouth is open and the eyes are closed. 

An image of Yani Gellman in his studio. He’s wearing a grey t-shirt and jeans and is holding a camera. To his left is a blue desk with two computer screens open, one to a word document, the other to a blue image of two children reminiscent of a film still. Also in his studio is a white lamp, a shelf, and a ukulele. A framed picture is mounted to the wall of a pink sky and large white moon against a city skyline.

Where is your favorite place in the city to buy/get art supplies, tools and materials? 
I'm always hunting through vintage shops for unique costumes and props for my auditions and films. Mrs. Huizenga is a favourite of mine.

What is the most inspiring place in the city for you right now? 
Most inspiring place for me is the mud pit at Dufferin Grove. Reminds me of the strange dirt mounds in Tarkovsky's Stalker, and pretty much every coming of age movie I've ever seen. Basically reminds me of my youth and a place where the old Toronto lives on.

What is your favorite place in the city to view art? 
My favorite place in the city to view art is just in our Akin Studio. I truly believe the work being created in that space belongs in the best galleries in the city, and it is to my absolute delight that I get to see it everyday when I come in to the studio.

Find more about Yani’s work on Instagram

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Tiana Robinson

An image of Tiana Robinson’s painting. An elaborate painting of a large flower, petals spread open, in red, orange and blue. Behind the large flower are smaller flowers lining the background.

Tiana Robinson is a Canadian artist, born in May Pen Jamaica, Her journey as an artist began at an early age, as she was always doodling in class, or at home. In middle school, she was nominated to participate in the Leaf Dreams scholarship program which gave her the opportunity to freely enroll in art classes at the Art Gallery of Ontario where she was constantly being exposed to instructors who were working artists themselves. Tiana attended C.W. Jefferys Collegiate Institute special art program, and It was here that she was introduced to the Modern Batik Art Technique during a workshop. Batik Art involves the application of simple ink outlines, light-to-dark gradation of dyes, and using wax as a resist for separating colours. Tiana was a quick study and gained rapid recognition for her work, including the purchase of her best-known image, “The Nation of Mothers”, which was purchased by the City of Toronto and now hangs in the Mayor’s office. Tiana graduated with a Bachelor of Design from the York-Sheridan Design Program and is currently working as a Graphic Designer while still exploring her love of art.

“My daily ritual when arriving at the studio is to first put some sage into my little humidifier to set the mood, and setup any tools I need that day. I ask a quick question of where should I start today and flow with whatever my intuition tells me to go.”

“I look at images to gain some inspiration and when I feel that tingle of excitement I follow that thread to the next step. Sometimes I am guided by meditations or poems I have written before and recently I love to turn those poems or messages into a motivational video and utilize music and video to create inspiration for myself and others. I recommend this video to get you fired up.” 

An image of Tiana Robinson’s painting, on paper. Vibrantly coloured flowers in red, orange, blue and yellow spring up against a yellow and green background.

Tiana Robinson’s studio shelves line the boundary of her space, filled with paper, canvas, and books. In the back is a window, surrounded by paintings hung on the wall. A small wooden desk sits in the corner of the space. 

Tiana Robinson sits inside her studio. She wears a bright yellow shirt and has silver beads in her hair. She wears glasses and many bracelets and rings. Her elbows are on her desk, her hands folded under her chin. Behind her are shelves filled with sketch pads and paintings on paper. 

Where is your favorite place in the city to buy/get art supplies, tools and materials? 
Gwartsmans

What is the most inspiring place in the city for you right now? 
Akin Auto Building

What is your favorite place in the city to view art? 
Akin Auto Building

Find more of Tiana’s work at her website and instagram

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Meet more members of the Akin Studio Program in the Members Highlights Series:

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We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts
#BringingTheArtsToLife @Canada.Council

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