Organización cerrada

Diaz Contemporary Gallery

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DATOS GENERALES

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Espacios expositivos: Diaz Contemporary Gallery, 100 Niagara Street Toronto, Ontario, Canadá

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Ferias en las que participa con OBRA

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Artistas que representa

ENLACES OFICIALES
Web 

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Descripción de la Organización

En noviembre de 2016 anunció su cierre para final de año, con esta nota: In the fall of 2005 it was hard to resist a new gallery that opened at the corner of Niagara and Tecumseth. The post-industrial building had been painted a rather un-Toronto lavender, and a beagle named Boomer greeted you at the door. A few years later, the puppy Luna became the mascota of Diaz Contemporary, while inside a dynamic, ever-evolving series of exhibitions continued to shift and expand our cultural landscape. Before Benjamin Diaz appeared on the scene in Toronto, he ran Galeria Arte Contemporaneo (1985–2000), an acclaimed gallery in Ciudad de Mexico. In the early 2000s he knew the time was right to bring his panache to Canada. Following extensive research, studio visits and scouting for the perfect location, he launched Diaz Contemporary, featuring bold new talent which had been largely unrecognized in Toronto. With Paul St. Amour contributing his business acumen, the duo established a robust plan. Diaz assembled a roster of Mexican and Canadian artists and became a steadfast champion of artists at all stages in their careers. In no time at all, the demure Diaz was acknowledged as a kickass art dealer and his lavender corner became a beloved destination for collectors, artists and enthusiasts alike. It will come as a shock to many that Diaz Contemporary is closing its doors for good at the end of the year. This announcement is only the latest in a series of Toronto gallery closures that have taken place over the last few years, leaving art lovers mourning their demise and asking broader questions: What comes next? Can such galleries ever be replaced, and if so, how and when? In recent years, developers have been targeting the now coveted corner lot. Diaz Contemporary’s lease will no longer be renewed by the landlord. Rather than relocating the gallery, Diaz plans to embrace new adventures and art-related opportunities. “We want to leave the gallery on a high note after having one of our most successful seasons. Choosing this path as a gallerist in Canada is a decision born of pure passion. I am genuinely grateful to the artists, collectors and critics who have supported me over the years. Your integrity, vision and creativity have been the cornerstone of this gallery.” Diaz demonstrated extraordinary prescience in identifying emerging artists such as Kelly Jazvac, Eleanor King, Nick Ostoff and Joseph Tisiga; he showcased their work and made a commitment to nurture their careers. From introducing the work of lesser-known artists to re-examining the work of senior artists, Diaz ensured that all gallery artists received recognition. The 2,500-square-foot gallery could accommodate large-scale work, such as shows by Kim Adams, Mowry Baden, Garry Neill Kennedy, Kelly Mark and John Massey, whose grand collage-based digital prints are featured in the current, final exhibition. As an audience, we were treated to the opportunity to see the work of contemporary artists in exhibitions that spoke to both local and global issues. At last year’s 10th anniversary exhibition, an extensive timeline on the back wall celebrated the gallery’s national and international successes in well over 100 exhibitions. Ben Diaz assiduously built careers that brought honours and recognition to his artists; gallery artists won the 2011 Sobey Arts Award (Daniel Young & Christian Giroux), the 2012 Gershon Iskowitz Prize (Kim Adams) and were selected as Canada’s representatives at the 2015 Venice Biennale (BGL). To Benjamin Diaz and all the Diaz Contemporary artists: thank you for many wonderful “conversations” and for your unshakeable commitment to contemporary art. —Marnie Fleming

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