ECO Art exhibit spotlights possibilities of waste materials

Feb 26, 2020 | Arts

The material used to make Taste 1996 includes rag paper, water colours, buttons, plywood, latex paint, steel wool and other material found in garbage. (Kritika Bhau)
Kritika Bhau

A highly topical exhibition of contemporary art opened to the public in Toronto.

The Eco Art Exhibition 2020, which opened Feb. 1, addressed environmental issues such as global warming, urban sprawl and degrading air quality.

Many artists around the globe contributed their artwork for the exhibition at Gallery 1313 at 1313 Queen St. W. in Parkdale.

Artworks displayed so far reveal some great painting while other works were included photography, and sculpture and mixed media made from brass, copper, plant seeds, wood, rag paper, shoe polish, and acrylic paints, all of which were either biodegradable or recycled material.

“It’s hard to describe art into words. I think artists don’t have to explain their work it’s how to perceive it. I always like to make people think what this art piece has to say and sometimes even when they don’t get the meaning its good to leave with a mystery,” said Juliana Kolesova, an artist from Moscow.

ECOArt 2020 displayed work of about 10 artists including Jerome McNicholl, Tricia van Oostveen, Jason Bouchard, William McClerry, Farzaneh Ali Hosseini, Clare Allin, Cedric Cruz, Gomo George, Natasha MacFarlane, Paul Brandeis, and others.

The exhibition showed art can be created using almost any element .

“These art pieces are unique as they portray both good and bad sides of our lives, I believe,” said Vishal Dutta, a visitor at the exhibition. “It leaves curiosity in one’s mind to think how waste materials such as bottles, waste leather, seeds of plants can be used as a form of art.”