![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.artoronto.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/LONSDALE-1-Elisabeth-Picard-Rainbow-Mountains-2015.jpg\" "\\"LONSDALE")
<\/a>Elisabeth Picard, Rainbow Mountains, 2015, 60,000 dyed Zip-Ties, 6 x 5 x 7 inches. Image courtesy of Lonsdale Gallery<\/p>\nHis enthusiasm and passion for his artists was infectious and soon became the highlight of the night. I was whisked into his back office, where a cabinet of curiosities lay in wait. The director\u2019s excitement was palpable as he drew my attention first to a striking pair of minute rubber figurines by Keith Bentley, where the artist had dramatically concealed the face of each Arcadian figure with fishing floats.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Re-entering the exhibition space, Wolfond revealed the theme at the heart of both this show and his gallery, \u201cthe contrast and dialogue between intimacy and grandeur\u201d. This idea was poignantly captured by the contrast from Bentley\u2019s statuettes to Katherine Tzu-Lan Mann\u2019s installation, a floor to ceiling cut paper entanglement in the corner of the room – a work that demanded the viewer\u2019s attention as your eye traces the mass of black sashaying lines.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Ascending to the second floor, the diversity of the show is even more exaggerated as your eye is directed first to the monumental, built up impasto painting by Jim Reid, slowly you then take in the other more modest works in the room. Specifically, I was drawn to the embroidered illustration by Amanda McCavour, the medium is thread,\u00a0exuding an air of delicacy as if the two hands could unravel at any moment.<\/p>\n Diversity seems to be the unifying factor between Wolfond\u2019s artists, as they all maintain a unique expression and identity. When I asked the director how he chooses his artists his answer was unequivocal, \u201cI only work with artists that have their own perspective and their own language \u2013 and remains very true to it\u201d.\u00a0 As coincidence would have it, I was then directed to the sculptural series by Jim Hake, who forms and casts gloved hands into sign language. The particular work on view fittingly spelled out \u201cSay it Loud\u201d. A title that reflects the integrity and artistic voice that is celebrated and expected from the artists represented at Lonsdale gallery.<\/p>\n<\/a>Gallery Director Chad Wolfond discussing Elisabeth Picard, Rainbow Mountains, 2015, 60,000 dyed Zip-Ties, 6 x 5 x 7 inches. Photo: Meghan O\u2019Callaghan<\/p>\n<\/a>Keith Bentley, Untitled (Borghese Series), 2012, cast chalk figurine, plastic, steel & rubber, 11 x 8 x 5″. Photo: Meghan O\u2019Callaghan<\/p>\n<\/a>Katherine Tzu-Lan Mann, Slurry, 2012, acrylic and sumi ink on cut paper, dimensions vary. Photo: Meghan O\u2019Callaghan<\/p>\n<\/a>Guests of the event standing before (left to right): Maurice Ducret, Untitled (Grey & Black), <\/em>2000; Ilan Wolff, Trees no. 2, 3, and 9, 1998; Annie Taylor, Matter 01, 03 and 09, 2014; Robert Davidowitz, Wave 7 (left) & Cosmic Circle (right), 2015 & 2013; Julia Martin, Seduction is a Means of Survival (left), What I miss most is the stimulation (right), 2015, photograph, 32 x 34\u201d; Peggy Taylor Reid, Untited, 2011; Laura Demers,\u00a0 What is Beyond the Stars?, <\/em>2015. Photo: Meghan O\u2019Callaghan<\/p>\n<\/a>Guests standing in front of Jim Reid, Remnant of an Ancient Wilderness 20-9-11, acrylic on wood panels, 84 x 126 inches, 2011. Photo: Meghan O\u2019Callaghan<\/p>\n<\/a>Amanda McCavour, Compound Tangle 4, 2012, thread drawing, 41.5 x 60\u201d (framed). Image courtesy of Lonsdale Gallery<\/p>\n<\/a>Jim Hake, Say It Loud, 2014, found gloves and mixed media, 14 x 61 x 5 inches. Photo: Meghan O\u2019Callaghan<\/p>\n<\/a>Keith W. Bentley, Dissecting Staverden, 2015, resin sculpture, wood, steel and paint, 36 x 14 x 14 inches.\u00a0\u00a0Image courtesy of Lonsdale Gallery<\/p>\n<\/a>George Boileau, Bifurcation,\u00a0<\/em>2003, filtch-cut hardwood and steel, 95.5 x 71.5 inches.\u00a0Photo:\u00a0Meghan O\u2019Callaghan<\/p>\n<\/a>Jim Reid, St. Lucia #5 & #8 (Left to right, top) St. Lucia #7 & #9 (left to right, bottom) 2015, watercolour and pastel on paper 17 x 21 inches (framed). Photo:\u00a0Meghan O\u2019Callaghan<\/p>\n