Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Hey Toronto- Cape Town Shakedown benefit exhibition at Studio Gallery




I have contributed a limited edition 20"x30" c-print from my recent Land of America exhibition (which was written about by Vice, Urban Outfitters, the Montreal Mirror, etc.) to the Cape Town Shakedown benefit exhibition that is taking place at Studio Gallery (294 College, 2nd Fl.) in Toronto on Thursday, November 20th from 7PM-11PM. But the print and support a great cause. More information on the event and the foundation can be found below, Ben Pobjoy

The Cape Town Children’s Scholarship Foundation is proud to present, A Cape Town Shakedown on Thursday, November 20th, 2008 at Studio Gallery. This fundraiser and silent auction is an intimate and influential experience for Toronto to recognize the epidemic of poverty affecting the orphans of Khayelitsha Township. Khayelitsha, located outside of Cape Town, is the most poverty-stricken townships in South Africa; AIDS infiltrates and ruins lives of the locals, unemployment grows each year, and as many as 14, 000 orphans wander the streets alone. The Cape Town Children’s Scholarship Foundation believes that education is the single greatest tool we can use to eliminate poverty.

The Cape Town Children’s Scholarship Foundation is a not-for-profit charitable foundation registered with the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency. Proceeds from A Cape Town Shakedown will help us award these potential-filled orphans with a series of academic scholarships to attend Waldorf schools in Cape Town. Waldorf education carries an internationally distinguished reputation of quality and is endorsed by the United Nations. Our children are empowered with the knowledge, creativity and ability to become leaders within their struggling communities. Students benefit from the comprehensive approach to education, the sensitivity of teachers, and the elimination of racial segregation.

Studio Gallery is an apt location for The Cape Town Children’s Scholarship Foundation, because of the desire of both parties to explore human capability through the arts and education. Both organizations are captivated by the power of human expression. The ability of artists to aid in scholarship tuition for orphaned children is a powerful feat, one which will also help these struggling communities. Together, the two organizations will work simultaneously to raise funds and send as many children to school as possible. Proceeds will be raised by way of private donation and silent auction. All auction items are generously provided by local artists and businesses.

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Julia Deakin's Oh Ex opens at the Emporium on Thursday, November 20th


Julia Deakin's Ex Oh exhibition will open at the Emporium Gallery (3035 St. Antoine Ouest, #74) on Thursday, November 20th from 7PM-11PM (artist will be in attendance). The exhibition will also be open Friday, November 21st to Sunday, November 23rd from 12PM to 6PM. Private viewings will be available by appointment thereafter from Monday, November 24th to Wednesday, November 26th.

About Ex Oh-
Julia Deakin is a Toronto-based visual artist. Ex Oh is a collection of new mixed media paintings that are contradictions of themselves. Deakin's paintings are cynical yet optimistic, frustrated yet happy, reflective yet charging forward and nostalgic about the past yet lusting for new experience. Ex Oh is a love note to life.

Artist Statement-
Ex Oh is a love note to life. At its core, it is an appreciation for the wild, unexpected twists of life, and the teeter-totter of struggle and success. For me, 2008 has been a year of immense growth; major setbacks became new opportunities, mysteries became realities, decade-old questions became epic answers, love was lost, new friends were found, beloved family members passed on, attachment was reckoned with, and maybe most importantly, I learned to let go. In the context of these massive life events, I created the paintings you see here now. They are a continuation of my past ruminations on anxiety and faith, as well as the beginning of a whole new story.My paintings tend to be contradictions of themselves: cynical yet optimistic; frustrated yet happy; reflective yet charging forward; nostalgic about the past yet lusting after new experiences. My work is very personally symbolic and introspective in nature, and intentionally left vaguely mysterious and open ended – the viewer is encouraged to bring his or her own experiences, introspections, and conversations to each piece."

Artist Biography-
Julia Deakin, a 2002 Honours graduate from the Ontario College of Art and Design, is a visual artist that lives in the Parkdale neighborhood of Toronto. Fully enamored with her neighborhood, Parkdale is a rapidly changing place with loads of history. It is also home to an interesting cross-section of people from a huge range of places, circumstances and life experiences.

Interested in both people's relationships with each other and with themselves, Deakin is inspired by change, renewal and the unexpected. Her work is informed by personal experiences and draws inspiration from folk tales, mythology, mystery, instincts and animal behavior, psychology, and a nostalgia for the implied or imagined histories of objects and people. You can see more of Deakin's work here.

For more information click on the eflier above or visit the Emporium's website here. This is our last exhibition of the year so come on out if you're in Montreal, Ben Pobjoy

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Monday, November 10, 2008

Hey Montreal- SNAP! Magazine Issue #4 Launch Party this Thursday!


SNAP! Magazine is launching its 4th issue this Thursday at Coda (4119 St. Laurent). Free drinks will be served from 9PM-11PM. SNAP! is a great Montreal-based magazine ran by great people. Click the eflier above for more information. Support this, Ben Pobjoy

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Thursday, November 6, 2008

Mercedeez Bendz's Hey There Girl track to play on New Zealand television


Domino Records just sent us the paperwork to have Mercedeez Bendz's Hey There Girl produced Yo Majesty track played on a Kiwi show called 'The Jaquie Brown Diaries.' For those of you who don't know, Mercedeez Bendz is the production name of Shawn Butchart- the Art Director of Switzerland CS and the Emporium Gallery. We're pretty happy to learn that music that was made in our office will be aired on television- on the other side of the world! You can learn more about the Jacquie Brown Diaries here. Pretty cool, Ben Pobjoy

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New Drunkula video now online!


Drunkula, one of our favorite bands from Toronto, just uploaded their new video. If you like late 80's classic Sunset Strip Rock and Roll, you'll love Drunkula. You can see the video here. Enjoy, Ben Pobjoy

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Emporium Gallery website updated with 3 new Virtual Tours


The Emporium Gallery website has been updated. We have uploaded virtual tours for the recent When I Get Back Home, Sanza-Hanza, and the Art of Getting Along exhibitions that we ran. You can see the Emporium Gallery website here. Enjoy, Ben Pobjoy

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