Art Toronto continues to have a strong presence from Montreal galleries, whether it’s relative newcomers such as Espace Robert Poulin<\/em> or the perennial Galerie DeBellefeuille<\/em>, who has been showing since the fair’s inception.<\/p>\n Originally a collector himself, Robert Poulin<\/em> points to the importance moving beyond collecting, as this is simply passive, and to take the necessary next step of showcasing the work, as he has done here at the fair. His Canadian artists included: Marc Leduc, Zoltan Veevaete, Mirana Zuger. Of Leduc, Poulin emphasized that these works are not made to market. Leduc’s in particular, are “genuine and emerge from a trance-like, free carving on wood.”<\/p>\n Helen Bellefeuille<\/em> of Galerie De Bellefeuille<\/em> views Toronto as a big art market and represents both Canadian and international artists.<\/p>\n The gallery’s presence here helps to maintain a connection with their Toronto clients. Young contemporaries with the gallery include Nicolas Ruel<\/em> from Quebec who works with UV-protected photography on aluminum, and Toronto artist Franco Defranchesca<\/em> who works in pigment prints and resin. Works by international artists included a sizable exhibit of major prints by Tom Wesselman<\/em> (1931-2004), one of the leading American Pop artists of the 60s.<\/p>\n While Lyons Wier Gallery<\/em> of New York enjoyed a successful opening night preview this year, not every year has been as stellar. In the experience of this dealer, Toronto buyers tend to favour urban themes and works by the Canadian artists in his stable. Nevertheless, interest and progress is being made by Art Toronto and collectors in Toronto.<\/p>\n Begona Malone<\/em>, an exhibitor from Madrid,\u00a0Spain, has been in attendance for about 9-10 years and has enjoyed a steady increase in interest from young collectors. Her artists include unique, \u2018real art\u2019 focused on the mysterious \u2013 not ‘fashion art.’<\/p>\n The much-talked-about MA2 Gallery<\/em> from Tokyo, Japan as part of the FOCUS ASIA,<\/em> did not expect to be sold out by the second day. As first-time exhibitors at Art Toronto and in Canada, they were apprehensive about their exhibit as most galleries had predominantly painting and photography on display.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.artoronto.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/artf00205.jpg\" "\\"artf00205\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>Robert Poulin owner of Escape Robert Poulin, Montreal<\/p>\n<\/a>Marc Leduc, Tango funebre, 1992,\u00a088 x 84 inches, mixed media on wood, from\u00a0Espace Robert Poulin, Montreal<\/p>\n<\/a>Helen Bellefeuille owner of Galerie De Bellefeuille, Montreal<\/p>\n<\/a>Nicolas Ruel, Times Square New York, 2010, photograph printed on stainless steel, form\u00a0Galerie De Bellefeuille, Montreal<\/p>\n<\/a>Tim Okamura, Northern Light 2012, oil and mixed media on canvas, 60 x 40 inches, from Lyons Weir Gallery, New York<\/p>\n<\/a>Begona Malone from Madrid, Spain in front of Taurino Vasco Sayal’s Cat looking shamans Moon<\/p>\n<\/a>Ken Matsubara, The Sleeping Water – Storm in a Glass, 2012, 35 x 30.5 x 16 cm, movie, mixed media<\/p>\n