Appearances

In a world overrun with images, eleven artists from across the country have come together to deceive, confuse and puzzle the hasty viewer. Using a wide variety of media and strategies their intention is to stop us in our tracks and force us to reconsider what we are seeing. In skillfully thwarting a superficial reading of their works each artist targets the pitfalls of first impressions. The result is an intoxicating challenge where things are not quite as they appear. Taras Polataiko’s paintings incorporate tromp l’oeil. Tim Lee‘s videos use trick special effects. Annie Baillargeon disappears into her own photographs. Euan Macdonald’s videos blind the viewer entirely.

Other participants include Jérôme Fortin, Germaine Koh, Kelly Mark, Jean-Marc Mathieu-Lajoie, Damian Moppett, Yannick Pouliot and Ana Rewakowicz. An original essay is accompanied by individual analyses of each artist’s practice and career.