Gravity Model at COOPER COLE

Artists: Nour Bishouty, Karishma D’Souza, Kate Newby, Jagdeep Raina, Kaveri Raina, Christine Howard Sandoval, Sindhu Thirumalaisamy, Saul Hernandez-Vargas

Exhibition title: Gravity Model

Venue: COOPER COLE, Toronto, Canada

Date: January 27 – March 2, 2024

Photography: all images copyright and courtesy of the artists and COOPER COLE, Toronto

COOPER COLE is pleased to present, Gravity Model, a group exhibition featuring artworks by the following artists: Nour Bishouty, Karishma D’Souza, Kate Newby, Jagdeep Raina, Kaveri Raina, Christine Howard Sandoval, Sindhu Thirumalaisamy, and Saul Hernandez-Vargas. This exhibition was conceptualized over a series of conversations between Simon Cole and Jagdeep Raina and will run from January 27 – March 2, 2024 in Cooper Cole’s east location.

Gravity Model acts as a platform to unravel the complexities of transition, capturing the essence of change and evolution in our lives. Through the lens of each artist, movement is not just a physical consideration but a manifestation of emotional and psychological shifts. The exploration of the landscape goes beyond the mere visual representation, delving into the emotional connection between individuals and their surroundings. Feelings and memories become tangible entities, with each artwork imbued with nostalgia and experience that illustrate a story of human emotion and recollection. Gravity Model is an opportunity to step into a world where the complexities of being human are laid bare, provoking contemplation and inviting connection through shared experiences.

The following poem is composed by Jagdeep Raina and accompanies the exhibit:

Solace

Walking barefoot, hair plaited with leaves from Assan trees,
She arrives bearing fruit, flowers, and
rose tea, placing it on the marble
floor– a gift for the woman
named Miracle Lady.
Miracle Lady! She cries, Tell me
how to find solace, find peace.

The lady takes her hands– unfurls a
long cloth stained with charcoal and dried crusty hoove
prints of a bull that drapes her body–
placing her slender blue fingers over
her head, her fingers combing through her
ink black plaited hair, her body calms.

The cloth is dripping with movement that reminds her
of the blue waves
that smile, greets her with open arms–
tell hers to follow
the cloth towards the sea.
The bull–with his silver horns–
stands, waiting for her to touch
his shimmering skin
that flickers in the light
of the waves, the water feels still.

And in this solace
the bull leaves her, eating up the cloth–
as everything she once knew
falls apart.

Gravity Model, 2024, exhibition view, COOPER COLE, Toronto

Kate Newby, Just be prepared (backyard birds, Southtown), 2017, Etching and relief, 19.5 x 17.5 in (49.5 x 44.5 cm) Print, 27.25 x 25.25 x 1.5 in (69.2 x 64.1 x 3.8 cm) Framed. Kate Newby, Just be prepared (backyard birds, Southtown), 2017, Etching and relief, 18 x 10 in (45.7 x 25.4 cm) Print, 25.25 x 17.25 x 1.5 in (64.1 x 43.8 x 3.8 cm) Framed

Gravity Model, 2024, exhibition view, COOPER COLE, Toronto

Kate Newby, What’s the worst that can happen #3, 2018, Porcelain, found glass from sidewalks, Dimensions variable

Gravity Model, 2024, exhibition view, COOPER COLE, Toronto

Christine Howard Sandoval, Untitled (TBD), 2023, Adobe on paper, 20 x 40 in (50.8 x 101.6 cm). Christine Howard Sandoval, Untitled (TBD), 2023, Adobe on paper, 20 x 40 in (50.8 x 101.6 cm)

Christine Howard Sandoval, Untitled (TBD), 2023, Adobe on paper, 20 x 40 in (50.8 x 101.6 cm)

Gravity Model, 2024, exhibition view, COOPER COLE, Toronto

Saul Hernandez Vargas, Insect 1, siamese. (De noche vienen / They come at night series), 2022-2023, Repurposed bike frames, steel, concrete, and other found materials (twigs, leather leftovers, jewelry pieces) from US-Mexico border border cities

Gravity Model, 2024, exhibition view, COOPER COLE, Toronto

Kate Newby, A sky, a wall, and a tree, 2016, Glass, sand, Dimensions variable. Kate Newby, You make loving fun, 2016, Glass, sand, Dimensions variable

Kate Newby, A sky, a wall, and a tree, 2016, Glass, sand, Dimensions variable

Kate Newby, You make loving fun, 2016, Glass, sand, Dimensions variable

Kate Newby, A sky, a wall, and a tree, 2016, Glass, sand, Dimensions variable

Kate Newby, You make loving fun, 2016, Glass, sand, Dimensions variable

Gravity Model, 2024, exhibition view, COOPER COLE, Toronto

Kaveri Raina, Untitled (blues that persist), 2023, Graphite, charcoal, oil pastel, paper, 11 x 14 in (27.9 x 35.6 cm)

Kaveri Raina, Untitled (blues that persist), 2023, Graphite, charcoal, oil pastel, paper, 14 x 11 in (35.6 x 27.9 cm)

Gravity Model, 2024, exhibition view, COOPER COLE, Toronto

Nour Bishouty, Staffage, 2023, Carved walnut with nickel and mother-of-pearl inlay, 10.6 x 35.4 x 10.2 in (27 x 90 x 26 cm)

Gravity Model, 2024, exhibition view, COOPER COLE, Toronto

Kate Newby, Just be prepared (backyard birds, Southtown), 2017, Etching and relief, 19.5 x 17.5 in (49.5 x 44.5 cm) Print, 27.25 x 25.25 x 1.5 in (69.2 x 64.1 x 3.8 cm) Framed