#25 Eames Chair reDesigned

As you are aware, Camal Pirbhai redesigned an Eames-style chair for the Textile Museum of Canada (TMC). After five days of preview at Bonhams, the evening gala took place at Hazelton Lanes in Yorkville last Wednesday.

TMC reDesign gala, before the show started, 2012

#24 Collecting Art? Where Do You Start?

Last weekend, I had a chance to go see Art Toronto, an International Art Fair 2012 at the Metro Convention Centre. Because of the rain, there were more people than I expected. In fact, it was a nice way to spend a rainy Saturday afternoon browsing contemporary arts from all over the world.

Art Toronto, 2012

#23 Virtual Texilology at Bonhams, Yorkville

Camal has redesigned an Eames-style chair for the Textile Museum of Canada's reDesign 2012.

Still-cut of Camal's Virtual Textilology, 2012

#22 Performance Art? 7a*11d Is The Place To Be

Just wanted to let everyone know about 7a*11d (7 across 11 down) festival, which is starting next Tuesday October 23rd. It is the International Festival of Performance Art. This is actually my first time finding about the festival, and I've decided to attend it.

#21 My experience at Nuit Blanche

Nuit Blanche is one of Toronto's major art event. The first Nuit Blanche began in Paris in 2002, as an all night contemporary art scene. It spread around the world, and four years after its birth in Paris, Toronto started its own. In fact, Toronto was the first North American city to fully reproduce the Paris prototype. Since 2006, Toronto attracts people from all over Canada and even gathers international crowds or so I hear.

Gladstone Hotel

#20 IIDEX - What Interior Design Show?

Last week, I attended IIDEX Canada 2012 with Camal. Whenever there is an exposition in the city, Camal takes me so that I get a chance to meet people in the industry and explore new ideas.

#19 Follow the Ice Cream Truck for Miss Canadiana!

I was at Liss Gallery last Saturday for its grand opening party for the artist Brannan Robinson. Miss Canadiana was invited to attend its opening ceremony.

Miss Canadiana walking towards Liss Gallery, 2012

A black limo pulled up beside the gallery, and there she was, Miss Canadiana in her red dress, wearing the ribbon sash made by Camal Pirbhai.

#18 Hello Miss Canadiana!

Miss Canadiana will be making her first appearance at LissGallery in Yorkville this Saturday, September 8th at 6PM. She is invited to the opening of a collection at the gallery for the ribbon cutting ceremony on the red carpet. Miss Canadiana will be wearing a one-of-a-kind sash, sponsored by Camal Pirbhai and Gallery Bespoke! Come out to Yorkville and look for Miss Canadiana this Saturday!

Miss Canadiana

For the latest updates and news on Miss Canadiana, check the Facebook page, as well as the Blog! 

If you’re in Yorkville or any other celebrity-gathering place in Toronto, make sure you keep your eyes open wide for your opportunity to see Miss Canadiana! Who knows, perhaps she’s getting an ice cream next to you!

#17 Spot Miss Canadiana in Yorkville during Tiff 2012!

Do you know what's starting next Thursday, September the 6th? Toronto International Film Festival! Do you know what else is on next week? Accessory Part II.

TIFF 2012 will begin Sept. 6th - Sept. 16th.

#16 Picasso at the AGO

Warning! This is your last chance to see Picasso at the AGO! It will be on until Sunday August 26th! It is a great exhibition and you don't want to miss it.

Picasso, Dora Maar, 1937

#15 Camal Wants You!

If you're interested in being a part of Camal's installation piece for the TMC this Fall, come to the studio this Saturday August 18th between 11AM- 4PM!

RSVP via email at info@studiolabeaute.com

#14 The Group of Seven vs. Group of Fashionality Artists

If you grew up in Canada, you are probably familiar with the Group of Seven. Maybe you can't name the seven members, but you might recall a couple from the group.

Tom Thompson, The Jack Pine, 1916-17.

#13 TMC's reDesign 2012 Press Release

If anyone is wondering and is interested in finding more about what the reDesign 2012 is all about, read the following press release prepared by the TMC. Also, remember to save the date on Wednesday November 7th for the gala - I'll be there too!

#12 The Group of Artist of Fashionality

It's almost August - which means that there is about a month left to catch the Fashtionality exhibition at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection! Make sure you see the show before it's over because the McMichael gallery not very often does shows as contemporary as this, and it is quite big and there's a lot to see. Based on the works of contemporary Canadian artists, the exhibition explores the use of clothing and fashion as means to reveal the artists' concerns, identities and personal visions. The show is very well put-together by a renowned Canadian curator Julia Pine. If you have been following my blog, you probably know that Camal Pirbhai of Studio La Beaute has two of his pieces on display at the show. They are located right in the centre of the main room, so you won't miss them. Make sure you go see it before it's over.

Fashionality Installation day at the McMichael

#11 TOAE Part 2 - Subject of Contemporary Art

I want to talk about TOAE again, in continuation of last week's entry. Last week, I was interested in talking about how the medium of art reflects and is influenced by modern society. This time, I want to focus on the subject matter of contemporary art.

Julia Gilmore, Vespa, Oil on Canvas

#10 TOAE Part 1 - iPad Painting vs. Acrylic Painting

Have you heard of TOAE? It's the Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition, which takes place annually on Nathan Phillips Square featuring contemporary Canadian fine art and craft. The purpose of the event is to not only to sell but to showcase the works by contemporary Canadian artists across the country. This year marked its 51st year.

View of TOAE 2012

#9 Have you heard of Textile Museum of Canada's reDesign?

Although I've heard about the Textile Museum of Canada (TMC) for years, I haven't had a chance to visit all these years. An opportunity arrived when Camal Pirbhai was contacted by Sarah Quinton, the curator director of the museum, who invited him to participate in this year's reDesign at the TMC. The project involves numerous designers in the city in which they are required to interpret the chair selected for the year in however way they want. Every year, there is a different prototype. Click here to take a look at last year's interpretations. 

Ruth Scheuing, The White Pieces, 2010, TMC

#8 Going to see an exhibition? Know it before you go!

I want to continue writing about my experience last week at the Met. As someone who likes art and has an appreciation for it, I like visiting the Met whenever I am in New York City. Although it was a short trip, I felt that it won’t complete my trip unless I go to the Met.

Before visiting the Met, I casually browsed its website to see if there is anything that interests me. I found about the Schiaparelli and Prada exhibition, however it didn’t seem that curious to me since I'm not really into the history of fashion, nor I know much about it. I know Prada through her labels “Prada” and “Miu Miu,” however, I’ve never heard of Schiaparelli. I still decided to take a look at the show recalling last year’s most-talked about Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty. I was impressed by the ingenious works by McQueen, as well as the theatrical presentation of the exhibition design and the exhibition itself organized by the curators of the Costumes Institute.

Schiaparelli and Prada Exhibition at the Met.

#7 Impossible Conversations - Influnce of Art on Clothing Designs

Last week, I was at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York to see "Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations" curated by Andrew Bolton and Harold Koda.

Schiaparelli and Prada. "Waist Up/ Waist Down." Metropolitan Museum of Art.

#6 Installation Art? What is it and how does it come together?

Last week, Camal Pirbhai and I were in Barrie for the grand opening of Houston Avenue Bar & Grill. Camal was commissioned for the opening party to create an art installation with the theme of the restaurant by the Chartreuse marketing company.

Installation art refers to 3D works in interior spaces, which are usually designed for a specific site as the case for Camal. The number of installation art increased largely since postmodernist artists, that influenced the way the audience experience or perceive a particular space. It can be temporary or permanent, as it is assembled in exhibition space such as museums and galleries or public venues. Most of installation art are site-specific, meaning that they are designed to exist solely in the space which they were created.

Houston Avenue in Barrie

#5 Another Public Installation... This Time in Barrie!

This week, Camal Pirbhai is invited for an installation project at a restaurant in Barrie.

Camal had met Jessica and Deborah at the Junior League of Toronto's DelecTABLE Designs about a month ago. The two ladies were fascinated by the originality of Camal's installation and called Camal a few weeks after their initial meeting at the show. They represented a company named Chartreuse, an ECO Live Communications Company, where they provide a full service specializing in events and integrated marketing.  They wanted to display Camal's work at a public venue; a restaurant in Barrie called Houston Avenue Bar.

#4 What inspires the artist?

The first time I walked into Gallery Bespoke the "Fool Me Once" collection was on display. The "Fool Me Once" collection is comprised of nine pieces with each one displaying a film that was on loop continuously, which was then projected out from layers of individually designed fabric, and other materials. To my surprise I've learned that he was preparing for his next show in the weeks to come.

Three Pieces from the Fool Me Once Collection, June, 2011

#3 Pre-Fashionality

I went to the McMichael Canadian Art Collection a few weeks ago to help install art works by Camal Pirbhai, for the gallery's latest exhibition 'Fashionality: Dress and Identity in Contemporary Canadian Art.' The exhibition was put together by a Canadian writer and curator Julia Pine, who specializes in North American visual culture of the twentieth and twenty-first century. In the Urban Dictionary, "fashionality" is defined as one's personality expressed in their clothing, 'fashion personality', or one's nationality expressed in their clothing, 'fashion nationality'.

Fashionality at McMichael Canadian Art Collection will be on display from May 5 - September 3.

#2 So what is Gallery Bespoke?

For my second entry, I want to tell you a little bit more about Gallery Bespoke. 

Ever since my first visit, Gallery Bespoke has been a surprise after surprise. From the preparations of the "Accessory" collection last August, I've been observing the creative mind of Camal Pirbhai, the artist behind the Gallery. What I’ve observed was the artistic ingenuity of Camal. When I saw his work from his collection, I’ve questioned myself, “How did he come up with that?” and “What motivated him to create such pieces?” His works are beyond ordinary, unusual and made me wonder about the creative process. And the truth is many viewers have expressed the same thoughts. I often heard an observer saying “Amazing! How did he produce such an original work?”

"Gould Plated" (Elbow Pads) Video from the Accessory Collections, September, 2011

#1 Welcome to my blog

My name is Inyoung. I was born in Korea and I moved to Canada when I was a teenager. With an aunt as an artist, I was exposed to art at an early age. I was always fascinated by art. I have been involved in art throughout my school life through volunteering at different art institutions and museums. I graduated with Honours B.A. In art history from University of Toronto. 
 
A year ago, while I was strolling through the galleries in Yorkville, something unusual caught my attention. That's where I met Camal Pirbhai, who was preparing a show. That's where this adventure began.