Acclaimed International Street Artist Okuda to Celebrate Canadian Multiculturalism With 23-Storey Mural and Art Exhibit
Exhibition of 17 new works at #Hashtag Gallery presented by Aurora
TORONTO, July 3, 2018 /CNW/ - To celebrate Canadian multiculturalism, internationally renowned Spanish street artist Okuda San Miguel will be in Toronto from July 7-29 when he will unveil a solo exhibit of 17 new works entitled "Horses and Muses" at #Hashtag Gallery in Trinity Bellwoods. The three-week exhibit showcasing Okuda's works, presented by Aurora Cannabis Inc. ("Aurora"), will launch at the gallery on July 7, with a private reception hosted by Okuda, followed by general admission at 7p.m.
In addition to the exhibit, Okuda will produce a 23-storey mural, commissioned by the STEPS Initiative, as a cultural landmark at Carlton and Jarvis. The mural and exhibit are a joint project between the STEPS Initiative and #Hashtag Gallery.
Equilibrium Mural, commissioned by STEPS:
Connecting to Toronto's unique characteristics as well as the location of the installation, the work's title, Equilibrium, makes reference to the universal balance between nature, humanity and knowledge. The work also features human faces that represent various forms of knowledge: wisdom & history (black and white), as well as research & innovation (in colour). The two people holding the world have multi-coloured skin which represent a diversity of cultures. The skin of different colours are also an allegory for a shared humanity. That we all share similarities that have the ability to unite us, despite having different origins.
Overview of Horses & Muses, presented by Aurora:
In Horses and Muses, Okuda gives his own take on this iconic animal, interpreted in his unique style, characterized by the use of geometry and profusion of colour. The concept is complemented by another idea that features prominently in Okuda's recent work: the elevation of his imaginary characters to the status of muses—both male and female—that accompany him in the majority of his works.
Born in Spain and based out of Madrid, Okuda is one of the most sought-after artists in the world. His art is referred to as Pop Surrealism, using multicolored geometric structures and patterns joined with gray bodies and organic forms in artistic pieces with a clear essence of street forms. In his work, multicolored geometric architectures blend with organic shapes, bodies without identity, headless animals, symbols that encourage reflection. His works can be seen in streets and galleries around the world: India, Mali, Mozambique, United States, Japan, Chile, Brazil, Peru, South Africa, Mexico and the European continent among others. okudart.es/showcase/.
About #Hashtag Gallery
#Hashtag Gallery opened in April of 2012 with a mandate to bring the brightest artistic talent in Toronto together with established artists from a variety of backgrounds to showcase a carefully curated roster of talent on both the critical and commercial contemporary arts stage. HashtagGallery.com
Twitter: @hashtaggallery | Facebook: HashtagGallery | Instagram: hashtaggallery
About STEPS
Operating since 2011, STEPS is an award winning registered charity that bridges culture, community and city building by animating unlikely spaces with unlikely partners. stepsinitiative.com/
About Aurora
Aurora is a Canadian cannabis company that's redefining the thriving cannabis space. As one of the world's largest federally licensed, medical cannabis companies, Aurora is committed to providing its patients with the highest standard of product quality, customer service and affordable pricing, while removing barriers to access. A progressive leader, using innovative technologies and state-of-the-art facilities, the company cultivates and produces exceptional, high quality, safe medical cannabis for the global market. Its growing constellation of subsidiaries and strategic partners provides global reach, product choice and first-class delivery. Find out how Aurora is helping shape the future of cannabis at www.auroramj.com.
Twitter: @Aurora_MMJ | Facebook: @aurorammj | Instagram: aurora_mmj | #auroraeverywhere
SOURCE #Hashtag Gallery
Press Contacts: BlueSky Communications, Sarah Turnbull, 416-458-3878, [email protected]; #Hashtag Gallery, Graeme Luey, [email protected]
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