Brian Groombridge will be exhibiting sculptures and wall works in YYZ’s first YYretroZpective exhibition. It is a chance to view a selection of his production since 1989. In many instances, the art was only shown once and this is an opportunity to consider how particular works engage with each other.
Groombridge’s practice is characterized by a deceptive simplicity of form and an economy of materials. He makes evocative use of structural and poetic elements, including aspects of communication and perception, construction and measurement. He refers to the transient nature of things, to balance and to reciprocity. Recent work explores a perceptual notion that he has developed, called ‘undeliverable space,” which comes from a continuing interest in parameters challenged by the absence of a fixed dimension.
Groombridge has selected the practice of artists Elisa Strinna and Eva Cenghiaro (Italy) to complement his exhibition. They will exhibit the audio work Wood Songs (2002) in our YYZWINDOW, which consists of a series of records fabricated from found wood playable on a standard turntable.
Elisa Strinna & Eva Cenghiaro: Wood Songs (2002). Photo Credit: Giuditta Ambrosini
YYretroZpective is an artist-initiated and self-curated take on the retrospective exhibition. Our mandate is to put artists first. We provide them with the space and support to create freely and we respect their practice in whatever form they wish to present it. We believe that it is important for an artist-run centre to support artists at all stages of their careers, from giving them their first show out of school to taking a survey look at their practice.
Documentation: Allan Kosmajac
Documentation
Essay
...the wing span of an owl, enabling flight... (rumination on the lives of two birds and a man) by Yam Lau
Regardless of the efficacy of my interpretation, its relevance is only warranted by that which eludes writing. After all "meaning," according to Brian, is probably overrated. I undertake this writing exercise because I admire Brian's character and his work.
Artist Bios
Brian Groombridge
Brian Groombridge has been exhibiting since 1978, his first solo show being at YYZ in 1979. Groombridge attended both Sheridan College (1972) and the Ontario College of Art where he participated in the O.C.A. NY Off-Campus Study Program (1977). A selection of his recent exhibitions include, Like-Minded, Plug In ICA, Winnipeg (2012), Model (interior) of Piet Munson House, Utrecht, 1922-24, Convenience Gallery, Toronto (2010), Susan Hobbs Gallery, Toronto (2008), Me and Them, Kenderdine Art Gallery, Saskatoon (2007), and The Cold City Years, The Power Plant, Toronto (2005). Groombridge is represented by Susan Hobbs Gallery, Toronto.
Elisa Strinna
Elisa Strinna was born in Padua, Italy. After graduating from Bologna Fine Arts Academy, she received her MFA in Visual Arts from IUAV, Venice. In her work, Strinna focuses on issues such as the relationship between man and nature, the connections between art market and politics, and the cultural dynamics produced by the transnational displacement of people and goods. Some of Strinna’s latest exhibitions include RE-Generation, MACRO Testaccio, Rome (2012), HELICOTREMIA, festivals of recorded audio, Greenhouse Gardens, Venice (2012), EXTRA SPIRITO, Baldassini Palace, Rome (2012). In 2011 Strinna won the 13th edition of Movin’ up, the support mobility program for Italian young artists in the world.
Eva Cenghiaro
Eva Cenghiaro was born in Padua, Italy. Cenghiaro attended the University of Urbino where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts. She also studied at IUAV University in Venice, where she received her Masters of Visual Arts Design and Production. Her work aims to realize interdisciplinary projects through the use of different mediums: sculpture, drawing, landscape design and installation. A selection of Cenghiaro’s exhibitions include What’s the Matter?, Palazzo della Gran Guardia,Verona (2010), Common ground: Project for the Lagoon, Fondazione Bevilacqua La Masa, Palazzetto Tito,Venezia (2010), Eppur si muove (And yet it moves), Palazzo Re Rebaudengo, Guarene D’Alba (2009).