New Spring Exhibition by Golbahar Hassanbadi arrives at the Akin Vitrine Gallery

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golbahar Akin Art Studios Toronto

Iranian-Canadian artist and Akin member, Golbahar Hassanbadi’s new installation, “This Space Is Where I Stand” at the Akin Vitrine will change over time.

 

This spring, Akin Vitrine Gallery is excited to announce a new installation, This Space Is Where I Stand by Golbahar Hassanbadi. Running from April 1st until May 22nd, 2026, the installation is viewable 24/7 from the street at Akin St Clair, 1747 St Clair Ave West. Read on to find out more about the exhibition and the artist. 

Golbahar Hassanbadi is an Iranian-Canadian visual artist working across drawing, sculpting, installation, and material-based practices. She holds the BA in painting and drawing. Her work often uses materials to hold tension, fragility, constriction, and repetition, while embodying conceptual meaning. At the time of applying for this exhibition, she intended to present her most recent body of work, an ongoing series of interconnected rings, neck pieces, and chains, exploring repetition and complexity.

golbahar Akin Art Studios Toronto

Golbahar in her Akin Yonge-St Clair studio

However, following the events of this past January and the ongoing war and bombings in Iran, the meaning of that work has shifted for her. The relationship between life, memory, and art no longer feels stable.

Rather than presenting those works, she chooses to hold this space differently. The installation begins in near-emptiness, consisting only of the text that will evolve over time, with elements gradually added throughout the exhibition, emerging from her lived experience during these difficult days.

This gesture is an attempt to remain honest, to resist presenting something that no longer feels true. 

To those who pass by: this is where she stands.

“My Vitrine exhibition, This Space Is Where I Stand, explores presence, absence, and transformation. The installation begins almost empty, with only the text, and will evolve over time as I add elements inspired by my lived experience during these days. This minimal, white cubic space gives me the opportunity to align the installation with the unfolding process and the changes happening in the work as I engage with it.”

-Golbahar Hassanbadi 

golbahar Akin Art Studios Toronto

Golbahar’s Akin Yonge-St Clair studio


Akin: “What are you curious about right now?”

Golbahar Hassanbadi: “I have long used art to navigate concepts such as loss, suffering, and repetition. But lately, the weight of reality has shifted everything. I am now seeking to discover new significance in these concepts through the gravity of what I have experienced.”

 


Akin: “Do you have studio routines or rituals?”

GH: “My studio is a quiet and secure space that allows me to simply observe and 'be present.' It provides a setting where I can engage with my questions, thoughts and ideas, deciding whether to give them a physical form or to let them remain as they are.”

 

Golbahar’s work in progress

 

Akin: “What inspires you?”

GH: “I am inspired by my lived experiences and the many dimensions of life that I encounter. I seek out other people’s stories and the challenges they face in different stages of life, finding their reflection in the mirror of my own existence. This connection is what inspires my work”

 

Akin: “What does your Akin studio mean to you?”

GH: “My Akin studio is a space where I can slow down, experiment, and focus deeply on my work. As an immigrant woman and artist, it has given me the opportunity to reclaim my own space in Canada alongside like-minded people who value art and critical thinking. Being surrounded by other artists creates a sense of community and exchange that fuels my practice. I was drawn to Akin because of its supportive environment and its commitment to providing accessible studio spaces; the diversity and the culture of respect within this community are deeply valuable to me. The security and peace I find here are qualities I am consistently grateful for.”

 

Akin: “What advice would you tell your younger self about creating art? What have you learned?”

GH: “Advice? Honestly, I don’t see myself as someone to give advice, but I’d like to say sincerely: don’t give up. In today's world, simply choosing the path of art to think and express your thoughts is a heroic act. Keep going, and be patient with yourself and your process.”

Find more of Golbahar’s work on her instagram @goliha

Akin Autumn Vitrine Exhibition, Cool Zone by Leila Refahi

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Image Description: A poster for Leila Refahi’s exhibition Cool Zone in the Akin Vitrine Gallery. Black and white text reads “Leila Refahi Cool Zone, October and November 2025, Akin Vitrine Gallery, 1747 St Clair Ave W, www.akin.art/vitrine. In the background, a white ceramic tile that reads ‘cool zone’ is split through the middle.

 

This autumn, the Akin Vitrine Gallery is proud to present Cool Zone by artist Leila Refahi. The Akin Vitrine Gallery is viewable from the street 24/7 at the Akin St Clair studio, 1747 St Clair Ave West. The exhibition is on now and runs until the end of November. 

Leila Refahi @leilarefahi.art is a Toronto-based visual artist, researcher, and educator whose practice explores the intersection of nature, mythology, and climate justice. Working across painting, installation, and socially engaged art, she investigates cycles of destruction and renewal, drawing on Iranian cultural narratives and ecological realities to reimagine our relationship with the natural world.

"Cool Zone" reflects on the aftermath of wildfires as both a scar and a threshold—a space where life pauses but also prepares to return. In this body of work, Refahi creates an environment that speaks to resilience, memory, and transformation. Through the dialogue between natural materials, sculptural forms, and paintings, the exhibition invites viewers to step into a metaphorical “cool zone”—a place of stillness where devastation and rebirth coexist. Here, the work becomes a reflective space to imagine how renewal might emerge from destruction.

Leila Refahi’s installation Cool Zone, a ceramic and wood sculpture sit in the foreground of the white walls of the vitrine gallery. On the side walls are two abstract paintings and on the back wall are mounted ceramic plaques all reading ‘cool zone’

Image Description: Leila Refahi installing her work in the Akin Vitrine Gallery.

Akin: What are you curious about right now? 

Leila Refahi: “I’m curious about the evolving relationship between humans and nature—how mythology, memory, and culture shape the way we see the natural world, and how art can create space to reflect on environmental change, displacement, and resilience.” 


Akin: “What do you do to stimulate curiosity and inspiration?” 

LR: “I spend time observing nature closely, sketching, and researching mythology and ecological theory. I also engage with other artists and communities, which often sparks new ideas and directions for my work.” 


Akin: “Do you have creative prompts or habits to help you get started? Any self-care tips to share?”

LR: “I often begin by sketching small observations from nature, reading research on ecology and climate change, or writing down words and memories connected to my theme—this helps me unlock ideas before starting larger works. For self-care, I take quiet walks, practice mindfulness, and give myself time to step away from the work so I can return with fresh eyes.”

 

Image Description: An image of Leila Refahi’s sculpture as part of the installation Cool Zone, a white ceramic structure interwoven with wood and natural fibres.

 


Akin: “What does your Akin studio mean to you? What brought you to Akin?” 

LR: “My Akin studio is a space where I can slow down, experiment, and focus deeply on my work. Being surrounded by other artists creates a sense of community and exchange that fuels my practice. I was drawn to Akin because of its supportive environment and its commitment to providing accessible studio spaces for artists in Toronto.”


Akin: “What advice would you tell your younger self about creating art? What have you learned?”

 LR: “I would tell my younger self to trust the process and not be afraid of experimenting or making mistakes—every attempt teaches something valuable. I’ve learned that creating art is as much about patience and curiosity as it is about skill, and that staying true to your own questions and interests is what keeps the work alive.”

You can find more of Leila’s work on her website or instagram




Claire Correia’s sculpture, Steadfast, on now at the Akin Vitrine Gallery

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Image Description: Steadfast installation in the Akin Vitrine Gallery featuring intricate sculpted leaves hanging from wires with a blue angel sculpture in the centre. The installation hangs against a white wall.

 

We’re excited to welcome long-time Akin Member Claire Correia’s beautiful installation, Steadfast, to the Akin Vitrine Gallery this summer! Steadfast is an aerial sculpture/mobile made of pressed copper leaves, flame-worked and cast glass, brass and zinc wire.

Viewable 24/7 from the street, the Akin Vitrine Gallery is located at Akin St Clair,  1747 St Clair Ave West. Be sure to swing by the gallery to have a look. Steadfast will be on until July 31st. 

Meet Artist Claire Correia

Claire Correia:  “I am a project-based artist working with fire, glass, wood, and unexpected materials. For me, each project feels alchemical: mysterious, labour-intensive, and often unfolding late at night in a quiet, dark studio. Since joining Akin Collective in 2011, my practice has moved increasingly toward three-dimensional work. Recently, I’ve been exploring natural rhythms — particularly how wind, light, and energy move in waves — through a series of mobiles. I’m drawn to their gentle, shifting motion and how they bring a sense of calm and balance to the spaces they occupy.

As the project develops, I look forward to making and installing these mobiles at different scales, both indoors and out, to see how they respond to changing light, air currents, and weather. I’m especially curious about how environmental factors shape the viewer’s sense of space in relation to the sculptures — and how each setting invites a unique form of attention and engagement with them.”

 

Image Description: Claire is standing and smiling in front of a display of her artwork. She is wearing a colourful patterned top, a green skit, and has round blue glasses on.

 

About Steadfast 

Claire Correia: “One evening, I was out walking with my dog in the twilight when a breeze swept up a large eddy of leaves ahead of us. As the leaf tornado crossed the street, a fox ran out from its centre and disappeared into a nearby garden. That unexpected glimpse of something wild and magical in our quiet city neighbourhood has stayed with me ever since—and helped inspire the Steadfast mobile.

At the centre of Steadfast is an angel—like the fox—surrounded by swirling leaves. Both are creatures known to carry messages between worlds. So, is the angel a messenger, urging us to remain steady in uncertain times? An omen? A talisman of faith? Or a glimpse of something that’s always watching over us, guiding us, but usually unseen? Steadfast invites us to pause, to wonder, and to trust what we see in the living world—even if we’re not sure what it means.”

Image Description: Claire's sketchbook, open to reveal two pages of fine line drawings of the steadfast installation design process, with written notes.

Akin: What are you curious about right now? 

Claire Correia: “I’m thinking a lot about Deep Sea Nodules. What?! They are potato-sized rocks that cover thousands of square kilometres in the darkest parts of the ocean floor. Down there there is no light, no current, and there would be no marine life if these rocks did not PRODUCE OXYGEN (so are they in some way ALIVE?!). Deep sea mining companies are set to begin harvesting DSNs because they are rich in the minerals used in car batteries. We know so very little about what is down there in the deep sea and it’s importance to ecological balance in the world…..”

 

Image Description: the individual pieces of the Steadfast installation on a metal tray, arranged by size. The pieces have thin wires attached to leaf shapes.

 


Akin: What do you do to stimulate curiosity and inspiration? 

CC: “Oh I listen, read, watch, look and walk. Especially with dogs and friends!!”

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Akin: Do you have a studio routine ie: Are you a daily ritual person or are you project-focused in spurts?  

CC: “I don’t have a regular routine - I’m project-based and focus intensely on a body of work, then rest for a while before jumping into the next project. I usually work at night, when I can turn off the ‘house lights’ and just have my personal incandescent (warm) lights on. I find having tools lined up and research done before beginning work is really important to my studio practice. This might sound odd, but I feel the space must be prepared a certain way to kind of ‘let the spirits in’.”

 

Image Description: Claire's desk in her akin St Clair Studio, a work lap is above a table covered in tools and materials for glass and metal work. Around the table intricately patterned metal plates are leaning against the wall.

 

Akin: Do you have creative prompts or habits to help you get started? Any self-care tips to share?

CC: “Creative habit: I have a terrible memory, so I always carry a dot-grid notebook and fill it with references, info, ideas and thoughts. It’s not a diary though; I avoid writing anything deeply personal in the book. Self-care tips: Drink a lot of water. Ask for help and guidance. Be friendly to your neighbours. Remember that most people are good. Look for beauty everywhere.”

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Akin: Are you reading/listening to/watching right now which is inspiring you? If so, how?  

CC: “I read The Atlantic and the NY Times for obvious reasons. I’m listening to the Zen Studies podcast - because after a very dark stretch of years, I’m looking for some light.

I’m reading The Plant Eaters: How the unseen world of plant intelligence offers a new understanding of life on Earth, by Zoe Schlanger - because it’s fascinating, dense with mind-boggling information, and well-written!”

 

Image Description: Claire's desk in her akin St Clair Studio, a work lap is above a table covered in tools and materials for glass and metal work. Around the table intricately patterned metal plates are leaning against the wall.

 

Akin: What does your Akin studio mean to you? What brought you to Akin? 

CC: “I came to Akin Lansdowne in 2011 because it was just the right time to get a studio. In that beautiful space I was welcomed into the most amazing community of artists - many of whom are friends to this day. Through the years, being with Akin has allowed me to make art downtown in the big city, always have a place to go where I am an artist FIRST, and importantly - be part of an ever-expanding community of like-minded, open and fascinating creative people.”

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Akin: What advice would you tell your younger self about creating art? What have you learned? 

CC: “The things I’ve learned about creating art may not obviously seem to be about creating art, but really they are: 1. Take care of your mental health and talk to someone if you feel unbalanced. 2. Talk to the people you love; Deal with interpersonal problems before they have a chance to go deep.

Advice to my younger self: If you’re not sure about something, ask yourself “What have you got to lose?” If the answer is “Nothing”, just do it.”


Learn more about Claire’s work by visiting her website clairecorreia.com or on instagram @claire.correia or, sit on her public bench in front of the No Frills on Hannah Avenue, in Liberty Village!

Akin Vitrine Gallery, 1747 St. Clair Avenue West

 

All of the Glory, None of the Spending: a new exhibition by Charlotte Van Ryn at the Akin Vitrine Gallery

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All of the Glory, None of the Spending by Charlotte Van Ryn (@charlottevryn) is now on view at Akin Vitrine Gallery until the end of March! 1747 St. Clair Ave W at Akin St Clair - viewable 24/7 from the sidewalk.

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New Exhibition at the Akin Vitrine Gallery On Now! Theresa Hopkins’ installation Kiddo

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Image Description: Artist Theresa Hopkins’ installation, Kiddo, hanging in the Akin Virtine Gallery. A cylindrical round of beads hangs from the ceiling of the gallery. The beads are white with pink clouds, with blue beaded tassels hanging from the bottom. Blue beading across the white and pink sky read “chin up kid’. 

 

We’re excited to announce a brand new installation at Akin’s Vitrine Gallery! Running until January 30th, Artist Theresa Hopkins’ installation Kiddo will be viewable from the street at Akin St Clair, at 1747 St Clair Ave W. Be sure to swing by and check it out. In the meantime, we reached out to Theresa to learn more about her work and inspirations. 

Theresa Hopkins is a black multi-disciplinary artist and arts organizer living and working in Toronto. She focuses on themes surrounding identity, emotion, and her interactions with the world through her unique lens. Using colourful and tactile materials and subject matter, her work draws on nostalgia juxtaposed with mature themes. Her installation entitled Kiddo, runs from December 1- January 30th. 

 

Image Description: A photograph of artist Theresa Hopkins standing against a blue background. Theresa has long wavy black hair, blue eyeshadow and wears a white t-shirt. She is facing the camera,  holding a flag with a cartoon  of Roger Hargreaves’ Little Miss Chatterbox.

 

About the Installation 

‘Kiddo’ represents the vast majority of adults born as millennials who are currently experiencing arrested development, Kidults, and people who are failing to launch. Is there a place in your life you think you “should” be by now? 


What are you curious about right now? What do you do to stimulate curiosity and inspiration? 

Theresa Hopkins: “These days, I’m focusing on play. I believe relationships are garnered and watered through the ability you have to play together. Whatever the capacity. Being “silly” is so important. To get inspired I convene with nature, I make up scenarios with friends, I play children’s games.”


What was your first medium and what's your favourite tool/material right now? 

TH: “One of my first mediums was definitely beads. I used to be obsessed with friendship bracelets and animals made out of pony beads strewn with elastic string. When I was 15 I used to make beaded cuffs and bracelets for friends I used to rave with. It’s funny how I’ve returned back to it now. I guess we are creatures of habit after all.”


Do you have a studio routine?  

TH: “I am definitely someone who has project focused spurts of inspiration. I tend to do many projects at once though so perhaps it’s actually hurting me more than helping me since finishing work takes me a while.”

 

Image Description: A close-up photos of Artist Theresa Hopkins’ installation, Kiddo, hanging in the Akin Virtine Gallery. The beads are white with pink clouds, with blue beaded tassels hanging from the bottom. Blue beading across the white and pink sky read “chin up kid’. 

 

Do you have creative prompts or habits to help you get started? Any self-care tips to share?

Honestly most of art happens away from the canvas. It’s easy to berate yourself for not “working” on your work when I think in actuality, we are constantly working on work by just living our lives. I don’t try to limit myself to only mediums I’m comfortable in. I find it helps me to make art that “doesn’t have a purpose” it’s in those moments when I can really experiment. 

As in regards to self-care I think it’s important to have a healthy community that can be a sounding board for ideas. Take criticism graciously and always ask questions to yourself. Give yourself time and show up for yourself.


Is there an artist you'd like to go back in time to meet? Or someone you'd love to invite to dinner right now? Who is it and what would you ask them about?

TH: “Not really, most of the artists I like are here, now.” 


What are some of the benefits of being in the studio for you? What brought you to Akin?

TH: “I love having a community around that inspires me. Seeing other artists in different phases of their practice gives me hope for the future of the arts in this city. Working at Akin has given me purpose like no other, and being able to serve a community I’m a part of is extremely fulfilling. 

I joined Akin after a 3 year hiatus of making or showing my artwork. I had convinced myself for a number of years that being in survival mode and putting all my effort into working to pay rent was top priority. I decided one year to make a painting for a friend and needed a place to work. I ended up joining Akin and it’s one of the best decisions I could of made for my practice.”


What are you NOT very good at? What do you WANT to be good at? 

TH: “Wish I was better at attending art shows, it seems like I only get out when someone I know is involved. I’ve made this a goal of mine for the upcoming seasons!” 

Check out Kiddo at the Akin Vitrine Gallery, 1747 St Clair Ave W, viewable 24/7 from the sidewalk, on till January 30th, 2024. 

See more of Theresa Hopkins’ art @Thopkinsart

Akin St Clair / Akin Vitrine

 

Every Day I Wake Up and I'm Still in Tokyo: Artist Tam Phan’s new exhibition at the Akin Vitrine Gallery

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We’re excited to introduce a brand new exhibition up in the Akin Vitrine Gallery at 1747 St Clair Ave: ‘Every Day I Wake Up and I'm Still in Tokyo’ by artist Tam Phan!

The exhibition will be up from February 9th - March 9th. The gallery is visible from the street 24/7, if you’re in the neighborhood, be sure to drop by and take a look. In the meantime, read on to find out more about Tam’s work and inspirations! 

Image above: Artist Tam Phan, waring a respirator mask

About the artist: 
Tam Phan is a Vietnamese-Canadian artist based in Toronto who loves working with stained glass. Her practice explores themes of nostalgia, wonder, feeling lost, and identity. Her new installation titled ‘Every Day I Wake Up and I'm Still in Tokyo’ will run from February 9th - March 9th in the Akin Vitrine, and will showcase various stained glass pieces, lite brite toys, and a gifted TTC lightbox. The installation is inspired by her trips to Vietnam and Japan. 

See more work on Tam’s instagram

Tell us about your exhibition!
Tam: “Everyday I Wake Up and I'm Still in Tokyo was inspired by a trip I went on to Japan and Vietnam in 2023. I felt lost on this trip and it impacted how I viewed myself and my identity. Although unsteady, I felt comfortable with my reading and conversational skills in Vietnam, plus I had family there who made me feel mostly at home. But once I got to Japan I felt lost again, and those feelings were amplified by being physically lost in a place where I couldn't understand anything.

I decided to take lots of pictures of the shop and restaurant signs, and three were my inspiration for the stained glass collection I have in the Vitrine Gallery. Each one is colourful, vibrant, and has Kanji in it, but there's a small feeling of sadness when I look at each of them. I manipulated the colours, design and shapes but ultimately kept most of them true to the original.

Thank you to the Toronto Arts Council who generously supported this project.”

 

Image above: Artist Tam Phan is standing beside the Akin Vitrine Gallery and looking at it. In the gallery are many colourful pieces of stained glass artwork incluing a large piece featuring a piece of chocolate cake with red cherries on it in front of an orange and blue background.

 

What was your first medium and what's your favourite tool/material right now? 

Tam: “Just a paper and pencil! I was also obsessed with gel pens.”

Do you have a studio routine? 

Tam: “I am definitely a project-focused artist. My studio mates will not see me for months until I have a new passion project. Then you'll see me in the studio every day, cutting, grinding and foiling like a mad scientist.”

Do you have creative prompts or habits to help you get started? Any self-care tips to share?

Tam: “Just do it! Go to the studio even if you don't have everything ready. I'm always surprised by how inspiring it can be to just give yourself space in the right environment. I also divide my time at the studio with playing badminton, and I find the two (making art, play badminton) inspire and motivate each other in odd ways.”

What are some of the benefits of being in the studio for you? What brought you to Akin?

Tam: “There are so many benefits. Even though every morning is a constant battle to get out of the door, once I'm at the studio I feel my creative side break through. The community, having an alternate space for creativity, and for this specific project, every single one of my studio mates helped me from cutting to design to installation or even just a short pep talk. It was incredible and made me so emotional. Everyone wanted me to succeed. 

I signed up for a space at Akin during the pandemic when I desperately needed a change of scenery and a chance to work with my hands. Being at Akin has changed my worldview in many ways.”

What are you NOT very good at? What do you WANT to be good at? 

Tam: “Not good: meeting deadlines. Want to be good at: meeting deadlines!!”

Akin would like to thank Tam for your lovely exhibition and participation, we love this installation and can’t wait to see what’s coming in the future! 

This project was produced with the support of the City of Toronto through Toronto Arts Council. #poweredbyTAC

 

New Exhibition at Akin Dupont Vitrine Gallery by artist Bernadette Peets

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The Akin Dupont Vitrine Gallery is excited to announce an exhibition of works by Akin Dupont member, Bernadette Peets. Located at 1485 Dupont Street, on the second floor of the building, this miniature gallery offers a unique viewing experience to visitors in the building.

Images above: Colourful multi-media artworks by Bernadette Peets. Each piece 12”x12”. Titles in order from left to right: “Clouds”, “Crane River 4” and “Little Pond”.

About the Exhibition
In this latest exhibition, Peets invites us to explore her series of "small layered landscapes." These pieces are more than representations of physical spaces; they are windows to the emotions and sensations experienced within them. Created initially en plein air, these artworks were later transformed in her studio with the addition of striking neon plexiglass layers.

The result is these colourful pieces with depth that beckon viewers to engage with the art from various angles and perspectives, much like one would naturally experience in a real landscape. The swift, loose execution of these pieces contrasts beautifully with the deliberate layering, creating a dynamic visual experience that is both stimulating and thought-provoking.

 

About the Artist
”In my practise of nearly 30 years, I have been constantly searching for ways to express my thoughts, ideas and feelings sincerely and honestly. I am weary of becoming known for my ‘style’ or recurring themes as this would not reflect who I am as a person. I am constantly growing and evolving and my art reflects this as well.

Over the years I have worked with many tools, materials and methods and I have always tried to match the medium with the subject matter as a way to reinforce and strengthen the work.”

Bernadette’s foundation in drawing and painting, coupled with her extensive experience in theatre design, costume, and prop making, has equipped her with a diverse skill set. This versatility allows her to seamlessly blend various materials and techniques, from sculptural works and installations to multi-layered 2D images.

“There is often a subtle message in my work that invites the viewer to invest some time to look beneath the surface and to involve them in a participatory way.”

Visit www.bernadettepeets.com for more of Bernadette’s creative work.

Image Description: Artist Bernadette Peets in her studio working on a painting. Bernadette is holding a paintbrush up to a large canvas which has a work-in-progress painting in bright orange and blue paint. Image couretsy of www.bernadettepeets.com

 

About the Gallery
The Akin Dupont Vitrine Gallery is a space dedicated to showcasing the diverse talents of Akin Dupont studio members. It's a small window gallery that faces the hallway, offering a novel and accessible way for the public to engage with art. Nestled beside Ink & Water Tattoo, and just down the hall from Franz Kaka Gallery. The building is open to the public from 8am-8pm.

Akin Vitrine Q&A Series: Chico Togni installation "Portable Moon (with physics)"

Akin Vitrine Gallery
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Akin Vitrine Q&A Series:
Chico Togni installation “Portable Moon (with physics)”

Oct 27 until Jan 7, 2024

The Akin Vitrine Gallery, 1747 St Clair Ave W

 

An image of Chico Togni’s sculpture, Portable Moon (with physics) in the Akin St Clair’s Vitrine Gallery. An American flag (without the white stars), sewn against a beige sheet appears to be waving. The flag is attached to a pole sunken into a sculpture of a jagged rock.

 

Be sure to swing by Akin St Clair’s Vitrine Gallery at for Chico Togni’s new exhibition, Portable Moon (with physics), which will be on until January 7th, 2024. We caught up with Chico to learn more about his art, inspirations and favorite places in the city. 

Chico Togni works with cardboard, fabric, wood, metal and other found materials to create images and large sculptures. He also creates situations and happenings within the structures he builds. Most recently he exhibited his work at Kunsthaus Dresden and the Museum der Bildenden Kunst (MdbK) Leipzig, in Germany. He was an artist in residency at Cité International des Arts in Paris and Museumquartier in Vienna amongst other institutions, including the Artist Research Fellow at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C., EUA. Chico Togni holds a Bachelor in Sculpture from São Paulo University, Brazil. Chico is currently based in Toronto where he is experimenting with quilting and developed the Bellaroche Stories, an expanding series of quilts and collages that narrates the trajectory of rocks, power tools and visual paradoxes.

Tell us about your exhibition 

“Portable Moon with Physics” is a scientific contemplation. Crafted from paper maché, cardboard, and found material, this piece offers a fresh perspective on the moon's iconic flag. This sculpture represents the lunar flag, as if it were experiencing Earth's gravity, mirroring the calm and stillness of a terrestrial flag on a windless day. 

A fan generates a gentle breeze that delicately rustles the flag, preserving its position as if unaffected by the lunar environment. "Portable Moon with Physics" invites observers to reflect on the fascinating interplay of scientific principles and creative interpretation. It pays homage to the delicate equilibrium between the celestial and terrestrial realms, where even in the absence of a terrestrial atmosphere, the presence of gravity remains ever-present. The sculpture's title, "Portable Moon with Physics," encapsulates the humorous blend of science and art, reminding us of the unbreakable connection between fiction and science... 

This is the first attempt of the artist, to merge the clean and neat necessities of the world of quilting fabric and the dirty and chaotic sculptures with cardboard, found materials and paper maché. 


What are you curious about right now? What do you do to stimulate curiosity and inspiration? 

Collage and Sculpture.

What was your first medium and what's your favourite tool/material right now? 

Cardboard and Cardboard.


Do you have a studio routine ie: Are you a daily ritual person or are you project-focused in spurts?  

Both! Studio routine and project focused, depending on what I'm working on, the routine gets just entirely focused on the next mission!


Do you have creative prompts or habits to help you get started? Any self-care tips to share?

I just keep trying to do everything with found materials, “survival mode” on.

 

A detailed, close up image of Chico Togni’s piece, Portable Moon (with physics), a fragmented American flag, missing its white stars, is sewn into a beige fabric in such a way that it appears to be waving in the wind.

 

What are some of the benefits of being in the studio for you? What brought you to Akin?

To share a space and feel part of a group with similar needs.

What are you NOT very good at? What do you WANT to be good at? 

Bureaucracy...

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

Dollarama / Street / Home Depot (last option)

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

Ikea... the challenge of going there and trying to buy nothing, just try everything...

What is your favorite place in the city to view art? This could mean either in a gallery, a museum, or in a public space.

Whimbrel Point at Colonel Samuel Smith Park

 

An image of Chico Togni’s sculpture, Portable Moon (with physics), an American flag (without the white stars), sewn against a beige sheet appears to be waving. The flag is attached to a pole sunken into a small red and beige stool. The sculpture is outdoors, on gravel ground with tire tracks, behind the sculpture are dirty snow piles, reminiscent of a ploughed parking lot. 

 

Chico is an Akin studio member as well as a 2023 recipient of the Newcomer Space Award. Created by Akin, the Toronto Arts Foundation’s Neighbourhood Arts Network, the Newcomer Space Award provides newcomers credit for an Akin studio membership and to Akin’s Remote Gallery. This award not only provides funding and space essential for professional artists to grow their practice, but also supports artists in growing their network through the shared studio space model. 

Find more of Chico’s work on his Instagram @bellaroche_stories and website

We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts

#BringingTheArtsToLife @Canada.Council

The Akin St Clair Vitrine Gallery, 1747 St Clair Ave W

 

Akin Vitrine Q&A Series: Tiana Robinson installation 'A Simpler Time'

Akin St Clair Vitrine Gallery
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A Simpler Time, an exhibition by Tiana Robinson 

Sep 22 until Oct 22, 2023

The Akin Vitrine Gallery, 1747 St Clair Ave W

A closeup of the paintings in Tiana Robinson’s exhibition, A Simpler Time, against the white walls of the vitrine gallery. Amidst poems, the vibrant, colourful paintings on paper are detailed renderings of flowers and a young girl blowing a dandelion.

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. Jeffery’s 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 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. 

Tell us about your exhibition 

A Simpler Time  was created using  watercolour & gouache paint. This work was based on a poem I wrote called A Simpler Time. It shows a moment we have all experienced in our childhood of blowing a dandelion and watching the seeds scatter. It’s about returning to a time in our lives when we were free to have fun and just follow what felt right, what felt fun, and what made us happy. Summer days are filled with possibility and lots of sneezes.

What are you curious about right now? What do you do to stimulate curiosity and inspiration? 

What I am curious about right now is just exploring new media. I am trying to get reacquainted with my art process, and just let loose and explore what can come out of no expectations. I am working on being a bit more free with my expression and trying to find an authentic voice that is more representative of the woman I am now.

 

Tiana Robinson, wearing blue jeans and a grey t-shirt, is pictured inside the vitrine gallery installing her exhibition, A Simpler Time, hanging bright, colourful paintings done on paper onto clear string.

 

What was your first medium and what's your favourite tool/material right now? 

That was crayons, most definitely. Currently, I do mostly digital illustration and modern batik art with wax and dyes on fabric. I like the versatility of digital illustrations and the unique patterns created from the modern batik technique. Recently, I have been revisiting watercolours and gouache mediums and have been enjoying the learning curve of remembering how to work with the medium.


Do you have a studio routine ie: Are you a daily ritual person or are you project-focused in spurts?  

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


Do you have creative prompts or habits to help you get started? Any self-care tips to share?

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 utilise music and video to create inspiration for myself and others. I recommend this video to get you fired up.

 

Artist Tiana Robinson in her Akin Studio

 

Is there an artist you'd like to go back in time to meet? Or someone you'd love to invite to dinner right now? Who is it and what would you ask them about?

I would love to go back and revisit the younger version of me before I stopped doing art and tell her that only when you are creating can you be fully you, fully grounded, fully really free. I realized after starting this journey again that It’s not losing my identity as an artist that made me fall apart. It was that I lost that ritual that allowed me to discard all the pieces of me that didn’t belong to me. All the external burdens and responsibilities that were not mine to begin with. I was no longer able to shed away that skin imposed on me by external circumstances, and sadly other people’s projections, demands, and responsibilities imposed on me slowly became my identity. I became empty while others became fuller, and paradoxically my spirit became heavier while others became lighter.

What are some of the benefits of being in the studio for you? What brought you to Akin?

In 2020 I became paralyzed after getting sick with COVID, and spent the better part of 2021- 2022 just getting well again. I struggled a lot with my mental health, depression, and anxiety, and can say since getting and coming to the studio I am no longer depressed, my anxiety has reduced significantly and I am a lot happier and more peaceful than a year ago. More confident, even though I don’t know where I am going I just know I will be damned if I am going to stop this again. My new mantra for life now is “protect my peace”.

What are you NOT very good at? What do you WANT to be good at? 

I am not very good at asking for help, and at showing my work. I want to be better at showing every facet of me and just being present and stop overthinking life.

A view of the finished install of Tiana Robinson’s exhibition, A Simpler Time. The paintings and poems are hung on clear string fastened vertically from top to bottom of the white vitrine gallery. The paintings are colourful, intricate images of flowers. On the white floor of the vitrine are paint brushes and small palettes, and a small sign that reads the “A Simpler Time, Tiana Robinson”

See an extended video version of this interview below or click here to view it on YouTube.

Explore Tiana’s work further through her instagram and youtube.

We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts

#BringingTheArtsToLife @Canada.Council

The Akin St Clair Vitrine Gallery, 1747 St Clair Ave W

 

Akin Vitrine Q&A Series: Enas Satir installation 'A state of Chaos'

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Welcome to the Akin Vitrine Q&A (Question and Answers) Blog Series where we highlight the latest Akin Vitrine Gallery installation and present a recent interview with the exhibiting artist. Today’s artist is Enas Satir, whose installation ‘A State of Chaos’ is currently in the Akin Vitrine Gallery at Akin St.Clair (1747 St.Clair Ave West) until the end of June.  Thanks for participating, Enas!  

Please see below for Enas’s answers to the Q&A and to learn more about the exhibition. To see more of her work visit www.enassatir.com or on Instagram @enas.satir

Please see below for Enas’s answers to the Q&A and to learn more about the exhibition. To see more of her work visit www.enassatir.com or on Instagram @enas.satir

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