IT FIGURES

Steam Whistle Brewing’s art exhibit for the month September offers art history’s most popular study: the human figure. The human form has always served as inspiration, as something to conquest and to be celebrated by artists. The exhibition highlights how strangely beautiful and varied the human form is in its multitude of natural appearances, further enhanced through unique artistic expression. A range of approaches and philosophies expressing the ‘common’ human form are revealed; the dynamic comes in seeing each artists interpretations displayed side by side. The collection can potentially express polar opposites and yet all remain truthful of the subject. Together the works entice and enrich how we view humanity.

Aurora Pagano
Toronto artist, Aurora Pagano is a prolific painter with 15 years experience exhibiting and selling her work in variety of galleries and venues across the city. Her work is often provocative as it reflects on the fragility and power of humanity and in nature. She uses the figure as a form of storytelling and character study, and is fascinated to hear the viewer’s description of personality traits, personal connections and assumptions provoked by her work.
Pagano is a versatile artist who is engaged by the technical challenges of working with diverse media and artistic approaches. Her recent work combines encaustic painting, drawing, and varnishes creating a unique sense of depth and aesthetic. She is also a published illustrator having created numerous works for educational materials and children’s literature. Pagano is Visual Arts Program Coordinator at Cardinal Carter Academy for the Arts where she has developed an enriched specialist program for artistic high school students.

Jacqueline Okuhara
Jacqueline has an academic and practical background in art and design with a Diploma from the Academia de Belle Arte in Rome, Italy, and an Honours Degree in Visual Art at York University, Toronto. She is a graduate of Sheridan College, School of Design (Textiles), and took Graduate studies at the Ontario College of Art and Design. Okuhara has won accolades for her artwork, including awards from The Scarborough Arts Council, Art Aurora, The Museum of Computer Art, and Grants from The Ontario Crafts Council and The Ontario Arts Council. Jacqueline does commissions for both the corporate and private sectors. She is a qualified art educator; having taught in schools and Colleges in Canada and abroad. Jacqueline held the post as an ‘Artist in Residence’ at the Sault College, Ontario, where she established a textile studio. Her work has been sold in Canada and abroad and exhibited in juried shows including:
"I have been drawing ladies in fancy costumes since I was a little girl. I pursued my love of art and design and went to art college and university. Along the way I have been a teacher and practitioner of textiles, jewelry making and digital media. I think that my pictures in this exhibition encompass my love of the decorative and the machinations of the female form!"

Jessica Gorlicky
As long as she can remember, Gorlicky was infatuated with form and movement of the human physique. It has always come naturally to her in her work and even as a young child when she started painting it was always something that she wanted to experience and experiment with in her work. Studying art in Siena, Italy and at York University in Toronto, she opened her mind and ability to all that inspired her - hence – women’s faces and figures. “I was born to do paint and create and absolutely love what I do.”

Michael Tenaglia
Toronto native, Michael Tenaglia, has expressed his emotions and experiences through art for over 20 years. Painting from a very young age, Michael has always derived inspiration for his works from his own life and events around him. More recently, the human form in particular has captured his attention and awe, and lead him to a whole new style of painting.
Michael’s body of work isn’t limited to paintings. A professional photographer as well, he often uses photography as an extension of his passion for painting. His shows over the years throughout Toronto have showcased both his photography and oil paintings. Michael is the owner of Michael T Photography & Design Inc. where he uses his talents and passions to create the very best for all of his corporate and private clients.

Steam Whistle Gallery
Steam Whistle Brewing hosts monthly art shows and exhibitions in our Retail & Hospitality area to showcase local creative talent. Although many are established artists, some exhibitors are showing for the first time. Steam Whistle does not charge rent for our gallery space, nor do we take commission on any works that sell. At the close of each show, one piece from the exhibition is donated to our collection.

Opening reception with artists in attendance:
Wednesday September 3rd, 2008
Steam Whistle Brewing Gallery,
The Roundhouse – 255 Bremner Blvd.
Toronto, M5V 3M9, 416-362-2337 x 246.
To attend, please send an RSVP to rsvp@steamwhistle.ca

Exhibition dates: September 3rd to 26th, 2008.
Open free to the public. Monday to Saturday 12noon to 6pm; Sunday 12noon to 5pm.