What Sustains Us
Presented by The Six Collective
August 28- September 8, 2019
Featuring works by: Hollis Alexis Baptiste, Stephen Fakiyesi, James Hewitt, Shawn Skeir, and Amir Shingray.
Curated by: Hollis Alexis Baptiste
Curatorial assistant: Geneviève Wallen.
RECEPTION: AUGUST 29TH, 7:00- 10:00 PM
Join us for the first exhibition presented by the Six Collective, What Sustains Us, opening on Wednesday, August 28th. For this inaugural group show, each artist selected formalist strategies, using painting, sculpture or mix-media, to explore various themes such as the establishment of the Canadian hockey institution and the Khartoum massacre in Sudan. While the constellation of individual and collectively crafted stories points to broader cultural-historical issues, it also urges the viewer to consider the framework in which these five artists produce, disseminate, and sustain their practice. This exhibition also asks; what are the aesthetic possibilities and limitations generated in Black representational spaces? What are the artists responsive to? Can they afford to move away from political statements or the perpetually observed dominant white gaze? What does cultural sustainability and longevity look like for Black male artists? What does the
chosen medium communicate about one’s idea of access, success and relevance? What Sustains Us addresses the importance of the socio-relational histories as a vehicle for meaning-making and becomes a space for the artists to negotiate their creative desires.
What Sustains Us is supported by the Toronto Arts Council.
Image Credit: Stephen Fakiyesi
ABOUT THE SIX COLLECTIVE
The Six Collective is an ad-hoc collective that aims to carve spaces for productive dialogues on art-making and cultural sustainability. Like many of their peers, they question the longevity of current institutional shifts regarding accessibility and inclusion. The Six Collective is committed to pushing its members’ practice as well as producing platforms for intergenerational exchange and knowledge sharing.
ABOUT GALLERY 1313
Gallery Hours Wed- Sun. 1-6pm
Gallery 1313 is a not-for-profit, charitable organization located in the Parkdale neighbourhood of downtown Toronto. The gallery’s four unique exhibition spaces house over 70 exhibitions and many cultural events each year. The gallery is a vital contributor to making arts and culture accessible in Parkdale, providing exhibition space for artists, critics, scholars, students and community organizations.
ACCESSIBILITY
Gallery 1313’s entrance is at street level with no steps, to access the gallery door, please use the side gate. All gallery spaces are on the main floor. Lighting and fragrance vary per exhibition/event; please contact us if you have any questions regarding these items.
For any inquiries please email Hollis at thesixfromsixcollective@gmail.com or Phil at director@g1313.org.