"Between Breaths, Between Places" at Remote Gallery

From March 12-15, Akin proudly presented "Between Breaths, Between Places" at Remote Gallery, a group exhibition featuring 14 members of the Akin team. The show offered a glimpse into the collective energy of the artists behind the organization, not a fixed portrait of an institution, but a living constellation of practices, continually shaped by time, collaboration, and becoming.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the opening reception or visited the gallery throughout the exhibition. It always means a lot to share these moments with our community, we truly value the curiosity, passion and connection that you bring into our spaces. A big thank you to curator Renato Baldin, and to the rest of the Akin team members who generously shared their work and time.

Participating Artists:
Azadeh Pirazimian (@azadeh_pirazimian)
Bettina Westwood (@bettinawestwood)
Charlotte Van Ryn (@van_ryn)
Faisal Karadsheh (@pillontheloose)
Haley Meyer (@haleymeyerart)
Jen Pilles (@jenpilles.artist)
Liliana Botero (@destellosglassart)
Miles Ingrassia (@milesingrassia)
Mykah Czarina (@mykahcdc)
Oliver Pauk (@oliverpauk)
Özge Aytekin (@ozgeartto)
Renato Baldin (@renato.baldin)
Theresa Hopkins (@thopkinsart )
Torin Craig (@paisleyrobeforthegoldenglobe)

Thanks also to Collective Arts Brewing, the official beverage sponsor of the event.  

Image Description: a slideshow of photos of the exhibition, including artwork and visitors looking at the artwork and discussing it, and large groups during the opening night party. 

Sorry to bother you - on now!

Sorry To Bother You

Abstraction in an age of anxiety

July 11 - September 1, 2019

Corkin Gallery - 7 Tank House Lane, Distillery District, Toronto

Artists:
Virgil Baruchel
Christian Butterfield
Hana Elmasry
Neil Maguire
Rafael Yaluff

Sorry to bother you explores the disquiet and apprehension of contemporary life. Troubled and inspired by the looming global crises of environment, identity and economic viability, these brave works respond as signs of empathy in an age of anxiety.

Christian Butterfield, Akin staff member Hana Elmasry and Neil Maguire mix tradition of abstract painting with found objects and collage. Rafael Yaluff draws on pop art and comics to reflect upon our culture of consumption. Using electric colours, Virgil Baruchel blurs the real world with virtual existence through his tapestries and pastels.

Tangled and urgent, the works in this show are a tentative tap on the shoulder. What can we do? Who do we want to be? Are we able to adapt?

Introducing Akin's newest staff members

Earlier this year, Akin issued a Call for Applications for new employees and received an overwhelming response from artists and creatives in our community. Many thanks to everyone who applied. It was a challenging interview process and unfortunately we were not able to offer positions to all the candidates, but we are pleased to announce that we have hired four new employees and they have recently begun their work for Akin!

Welcome to the Akin Team: Özge Aytekin, Soroush Dabiri, Hana Elmasry and Laura Keeling!

You can expect to see these four helping out around the studios, and at our upcoming spring and summer events and programming. We are thrilled about these new additions to our growing team, and hope you get a chance to meet them soon! 


Özge Aytekin is an Istanbul and Toronto based interdisciplinary artist who has been an Akin member since 2018 at Akin King and Akin Richmond. 
 www.ozgeaytekin.carbonmade.com

Soroush Dabiri is a multi-disciplinary visual artist, mainly focused on painting. He has been Akin member since March 2019.
www.soroushdabiri.com

Hana Elmasry is a visual artist, educator and counsellor. Her intention is to create community and allow for participatory engagement, empowerment and healing. 
www.instagram.com/miserably__happy

Laura Kay Keeling is a film photographer and collage artist with an interest in installation works. She has been an Akin member since the fall of 2016.
 www.laurakaykeeling.com