Nudashank, an independent, artist-run gallery space in Baltimore, Maryland, is celebrating their third anniversary this week. Founded by Seth Adelsberger and Alex Ebstein in 2009, the gallery is dedicated to showcasing young and emerging artists in group, two-person and solo exhibitions. Over the past three years, Nudashank has shown the work of over 150 artists from Baltimore and beyond, fulfilling a mission to bring new blood into the Baltimore scene, benefitting regional artists and providing a new venue for local, national, and international artwork. The gallery is located on the third floor of the H&H building in downtown Baltimore, which also houses numerous other artist-run galleries and performance spaces.
If this sounds familiar, it’s because it is—TYPOLOGY will have a similar focus on bringing local and international artists and audiences together in dialogue through thematic exhibitions and related events here in Toronto. And coincidentally, we too will be located on the third floor of a beautifully restored historic building downtown, which is slated to house an exciting mix of artist’s studios, galleries, and performance spaces, as well as children’s and social mission organizations.
However TYPOLOGY will differ in its emphasis on curatorial and artistic experimentation, collaborative and cross-disciplinary practices, underrepresented art forms and artists (not limited to young or emerging artists), and community outreach and education in art and exhibition-making—focuses befitting our not-for-profit mandate and status. But regardless of our slightly different models, there is much to admire and emulate in Nudashank’s distinctive curatorial vision, vibrant programming, extensive reach, and democratizing access to affordable art online.
Which brings us now to… some of the affordable art they have online. Featured below is a selection of works by Jordan Bernier, Matthew Craven, Elena Johnston, and Bonner Sale, all currently available through Nudashank’s web-based shop. Enjoy!
Jordan Bernier’s intricate patterns and sunwashed palettes engage the eye while referencing the visual languages of ceremonial textiles, cuneiform scripts, and prehistoric petroglyphs, assuming a wonderfully tactile quality.
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Matthew Craven’s interventions on found book pages similarly engage colour and pattern with wholly different, mysterious, and humourous effect.
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We felt in Elena Johnston’s colourful collage a Matisseian joy and abandon, even before we saw that it’s title is Dance.
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Bonner Sale’s drawing is like a 5-year old’s nightmare—and we mean that as a compliment. Extra points for channeling our Uncle Boonmee memories.
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Much more online at the Nudashank Shop
Gallery and exhibition information on the Nudashank website
Jordan Bernier’s website
Matthew Craven’s website
Nice studio visit with Elena Johnston on Brown Paper Bag
Bonner Sale’s website
Who’s Uncle Boonmee?
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images, from top to bottom:
Jordan Bernier, Untitled 07, ink, coloured pencil and watercolor on paper, 11 x 14 inches; Untitled 08,
ink, coloured pencil and watercolor on paper, 11 x 15 inches; Untitled 17, watercolor on paper,
14 x 9.5 inches
Matthew Craven, Seek, 2011, mixed media on found book page, 11 x 8 inches; Totem, 2011, ink and acrylic on found book page, 12 x 9 inches
Elena Johnston, Dance, 2011, collage on paper, 11 x 8.5 inches
Bonner Sale, 01, 2010, gouache and coloured pencil on paper, 30 x 22 inches