Last night, I attended the opening of Soft Tensions at De Montigny Contemporary, a group exhibition bringing together the work of 12 emerging LGBTQ2+ artists from across Canada.
The exhibition features Alaska B (Toronto), Maxime Boisvert-Huneault (Gatineau), Rah Eleh (Toronto), Olivier Forgues (Toronto), Chris Glabb (Ottawa/New York), Samwell Guertin (Montreal), Miles Ingrassia (Toronto), Sierra McLean (Ottawa), Jonathan O’Leary (Vancouver), Günsu Hayriye Ozan (Ottawa), Jason Stovall (Sunshine Coast), and V Vallières (Toronto).
Soft Tensions brings together artists working across a wide range of mediums, including painting, sculpture, photography, video, installation, and performance. The exhibition explores different approaches to the human body, moving between representational and abstract forms.
One of the more interesting aspects of the exhibition is its salon-style installation. With the works presented together in a dense and intimate arrangement, Soft Tensions creates an ongoing dialogue between the different artists, mediums, and perspectives. The result is an exhibition that feels both visually varied and connected by its exploration of the body and identity.
From figurative works to more abstract interpretations, the artists approach their subjects in distinctly personal ways. The tension between the softness of the exhibition’s title and the sometimes more confrontational or complex ideas within the work makes for an engaging viewing experience.
Soft Tensions is a strong group exhibition that highlights emerging LGBTQ2+ artistic voices while presenting a diverse range of contemporary practices.
Check out the photos from the opening!
Soft Tensions @ De Montigny Contempory
