Yonder

Curated by Matthew Brower and Mona Filip

Koffler Art Gallery, 180 Shaw St, Toronto.

September 21-November 27, 2016.

Sarindar Dhaliwal, Brendan Fernandes, Rafael Goldchain, Jérôme Havre, Luis Jacob, Esmond Lee, Julius Poncelet Manapul, Sanaz and Mani Mazinani, Divya Mehra, Zinnia Naqvi, José Luis Torres, 2Fik, Blue Republic, Diana Yoo, Jinny Yu, Z’otz* Collective

Exploring themes of intercultural translation, displacement and identity construction, this exhibition brings together a group of Canadian artists from diverse cultural backgrounds whose works examine the immigrant condition.

Comprising recent and new works in a variety of media, including site-specific installations, Yonder approaches the notion of immigration through a process of “personal sociology,” moving from an investigation of subjective inquiries to larger questions and shared experiences. The project expands from the Koffler Gallery into the broader space of Artscape Youngplace, crossing the borders of the gallery setting and engaging shared public areas as well as the building’s exterior.

Offering many voices and perspectives, the works invite a deep reflection on the dislocations and adaptations triggered by the complex decision to uproot oneself and to cross borders, reaching for a yonder home. Drawing upon their own narratives as first or second generation Canadians, the artists invite responses based on commonalities and differences. By foregrounding these intimate presentations over globalizing political positions, the exhibition aims to generate a meaningful dialogue between artworks and audiences, inviting visitors to find points of resonance between the identities and experiences of the artists while making connections to their own individual stories.