Gallery
April 30, 2026
to September 30, 2026
What does it mean to belong? This exhibition invites visitors to explore this question through a dynamic, participatory experience that reflects the diversity of Toronto.
Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train
In this series artist Rachael Grad reverses the ubiquitous toy train and turn it into a paintbrush.
Type of Exhibition: Art
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
Presented by:
A Kultura Collective Member
Start Date:
March 5, 2024
End Date:
March 27, 2024
M-F 6am-10pm
S-S 7am-7pm
Downtown Toronto
Miles Nadal JCC
750 Spadina Ave. (at Bloor)
Accessibility
If accessibility options not listed, please contact the venue to confirm
Share
Share
Share
Related Exhibitions
Gallery
May 21, 2026
to June 14, 2026
A two-channel video and photo installation by acclaimed multidisciplinary artist Vera Frenkel.
Gallery
June 25, 2026
to September 6, 2026
Polish artist, architect, and researcher Natalia Romik to Koffler Arts to present her exhibition Plague Crystals.
Gallery
March 26, 2026
to June 7, 2026
The installation, which includes paintings, sculptures, videos, and projections, will inhabit the entire gallery space.