{"id":51753,"date":"2023-07-30T19:07:16","date_gmt":"2023-07-30T23:07:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.artoronto.ca\/?p=51753"},"modified":"2023-07-31T09:45:40","modified_gmt":"2023-07-31T13:45:40","slug":"megan-outhues-at-northern-contemporary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/v2.artoronto.ca\/?p=51753","title":{"rendered":"Megan Oldhues at Northern Contemporary"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

It is a balmy evening in Toronto\u2019s Roncesvalles area, but the heat and humidity do little to deter the growing number of people coming to the Northern Contemporary Gallery. Graffiti-artist-turned-muralist Megan Oldhues\u2019 art has brought admirers from all over to her first solo exhibition, Transient.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

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Installation view at the opening reception with Scrap Yard<\/em> (in the bottom), 2023, printed in a mirror that reflects the room and the guests<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Already established as an underground street and graffiti artist, Oldhues has spent a great deal of time freight-hopping across Canada. This life as a vagabond came with downsides, but ultimately shaped the artist she is today. Her travels introduced her to some of Canada\u2019s best street artists and, with their guidance, Oldhues has expanded and cultivated her craft. Her murals can be found across Canada from Toronto to Saskatchewan, and from Puebla, Mexico to Mongagu\u00e1, Brazil, capturing the human condition in its simple and domestic moments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first piece to draw in the crowds is the recently-dried self-portrait, created in the early hours of the opening day. This mural portrays the artist in her element: among the mountains enjoying a quiet moment, and it\u2019s particularly apt for this show as it painted directly on the gallery\u2019s wall, making its lifespan transient too.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Megan Oldhues, Self-portrait<\/em>, 2023, mural on the gallery\u2019s wall<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oldhues\u2019 paintings capture a balance of solitude and playful exploration. The rural, quiet life between the mountains of the West Coast and the prairies of the Midwest are the focus of her exhibition. A case of empty beer bottles, train carts and crossings, horseback riders, as well as vintage trucks portray an atmosphere of simplicity while the calming hues encourage reflection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRural vagrance\u201d are the words she uses, after a contemplative pause, to describe her exhibition. Oldhues is already her bags, preparing to fly out that evening to Romania. There\u2019s a wall there in need of a mural and her talents are just the ticket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The word \u201ctransient\u201d encompasses not only the subject matter of her pieces, but also an important element of her life; train-hopping and -spotting and couch-surfing were paramount to the development of Oldhues\u2019 artistic style and her way of life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through the Chain Link<\/em> is a gripping piece. Oldhues\u2019 training in realistic art is evident here. Her clever use of broad-brush strokes to denote detail is pleasing to the eye. The subject\u2019s gaze, directed at something the viewer cannot see, adds elements of wistfulness and curiosity. What does she see that we cannot? What is she looking at? Paradoxically, the piece demands more yet it is complete as it is.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Megan Oldhues, Through the Chain Link,<\/em> 2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When asked about the history behind Through the Chain Link<\/em>, Oldhues speaks about sharing her love of train-spotting with a friend and finding joy in recreating that memory. It seems each painting is a moment of time in her life, moments she fondly recalls and wants to preserve. Her process consists of taking photographs \u2014 capturing the moment \u2014 before rendering the images on canvas \u2014 painting the story, the feeling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oldhues also likes to add in a bit of play to her pieces: Dry Cold<\/em> is a good example of realistic art, although the blue strip along the edge adds an element of abstraction \u201cto break from the tradition of realism,\u201d she explains to me.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Megan Oldhues, Dry Cold,<\/em> 2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is clear in the way she answers my questions that Megan Oldhues is excitedly beginning a new phase in her artistic life. She is an artist with a career that is just beginning. As the title, Transient,<\/em> suggests, her major artwork and her successes are yet to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Text and photo: Elin MacRae<\/p>\n\n\n\n

*Exhibition information: Megan Oldhues, Transient<\/em>, July 27 \u2013 August 1, 2023, Northern Contemporary Gallery, 420 Roncesvalles Avenue, Toronto. Gallery hours: Tue \u2013 Sun 12 \u2013 6pm.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

by Elin MacRae<\/strong><\/p>\n

As the title, Transient,<\/em> suggests, her major artwork and her successes are yet to come.<\/p>\n

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