Gallery
November 29, 2024
to January 1, 2025
‘Shabbat Shalom’ is an exploration of my Jewishness and how the practice of ‘peaceful rest’ is unique to me.
Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train
by Rachael Grad
ABOUT THE EXHIBIT
Rolling a toy train across my artwork is a not-so-subtle metaphor for being a mother and an artist. Motherhood hit me like a train. When I became a mother, my art changed course. Toys overtook my home and artwork. In this series I reverse the ubiquitous toy train and turn it into a paintbrush. To express motherhood in body and gesture, I use small toy trains to make fluid marks across watercolour paper. For the paint colour to show up on the paper, I must heavily press down on the toy train during the entire rolling mark movement. This sweeping motion is unexpectedly tiring for my arm and back, like the physical aches experienced when mothering newborns. I must work in short bursts and take many breaks while creating this painting. Resting alone and respite from one’s own kids is also highly recommended when mothering.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Rachael Grad is a Toronto artist and mother who left practicing law to study painting at the New York Studio School and New York University before transferring to OCAD University. Grad graduated OCADU as the Governor General Academic Medal and Mrs. W.O. Forsyth Award Winner. Trained to paint and draw from life, Grad is graduating from the MFA (Visual Arts) program at York University. Grad combines her experience as a mother and former lawyer into her artwork. Creating work based on parenting moments, current series include “Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train” works on paper that use trains as paintbrushes.
A MNjcc International Womens Day exhibit.
@RachaelGradArt
March 5-27, 2024
Time to Yourself: An Art Making Workshop
Partake in the practice of play! Parents and caregivers are invited to explore and create while taking time to reflect on their lives and roles. Bring your most and least favourite toys to draw, paint and collage with. Facilitator Rachael Grad
March 21, 7:00 pm – 8:30pm
$18
https://www.rachaelgradart.com/time-to-yourself-an-art-making-workshop
The Miles Nadal JCC, 750 Spadina Ave
Room 318, third floor
M-F 6am-10pm
S-S 7am-7pm
Miles Nadal JCC
750 Spadina Ave. (at Bloor)