And not only that, these two artists—Laani Teetsov (née Heinar) and Thomas Heinar—are daughter and father.
Launching on October 25th, with an opening reception the following afternoon, visitors are being treated to a world-building spectacle from three independent points of view.
One is from Young Hee Sung, a Korean-Canadian painter and sculptor who has developed a style known as Brush Densityism, which she describes as “a language of layered strokes, rhythm, energy… Blending Eastern brush traditions with Western abstraction.” These works often document contemplative pauses in cityscapes, where light ripples through the scenery.
His movements on the canvas and choice of materials prioritize what suggests a scene to the eye over literalism. It’s free creation.
Walking through a set of doors past an airy sun room, you’ll then find the work of Thomas Heinar, known elsewhere for his activity in cosmetic chemistry, sports, and music, but here defined by his fierce pursuit of fleeting inspiration. With the speed at which this inspiration passes him by, his works are created rapidly and loosely. Scratching. Flicking. Arcing. Splashing. Striking. This is the implementation of an irreverent combination of materials: hair dye, magazine clippings, Perrier bottles, and shipping pallet wood alongside acrylic paint and canvasses. His movements on the canvas and choice of materials prioritize what suggests a scene to the eye over literalism. It’s free creation. And it makes clear why he often draws parallels between his art, music, chemistry, and sports; “creative acts that are based on refined techniques and improvisation.” Fundamentally, this artistic freedom compels us to always remain curious and active.
Thematically, all of these facets of human activity are represented in Heinar’s work. One will find graphic art and collages (“Suit” and “Drop”) that flow through the boardsports scene, painted depictions of science fiction lore (“The Perihelion of Rama”), and the blood and rust that built the city of Toronto (“Drinking Fountain at the R.C. Harris Water Treatment Plant”). Equally, there is portraiture, still life imagery, and scenes from the southern Ontario region that viewers will enjoy piecing together like a puzzle.
This presence of motifs across materials exemplifies the flexibility of Teetsov’s designs, in which the majesty and spirit of nature is a source of joy, power, and meaning each day.
Exemplifying free and unconventional expression in a completely individual way is painter, textile designer, and ceramicist Laani Teetsov. Even while standing in the previous room, you can catch a glimpse of a magical world vibrating through on a plinth under a beam of light. It’s a bear (“Bear”), loping forward with a stomach full of fish and berries, the weight of her haunches masterfully rendered in clay. On her back is the fragment of an Alaska cedar tree, a gem from a deep, dark forest that we are then guided into through three bold pieces in the vicinity. One is an immaculately shaped and painted plate with greenery all around. To its right is a patterned cotton/silk dress, sewn with flowing sleeves and a carefully shaped waist. And to the left of that is a tapestry of the same original pattern. We see this visual cohesion happen on the other side of the room as well, where a floral tapestry is echoed down to a trio of hand-painted vases and a set of plates that would sit comfortably in an elegant Barcelona tapas bar. As well as a howling wolf on a plinth by the bear, if you look closely at the technique applied.
This presence of motifs across materials exemplifies the flexibility of Teetsov’s designs, in which the majesty and spirit of nature is a source of joy, power, and meaning each day. When we look to the walls. When we dine. When we clothe ourselves. There we will find an illuminated boundary “between the playful and the mystical,” as Teetsov describes it.
Thus, what you will find in both Laani and Thomas’ works of art, when you examine them, are stories and an infectious joie de vivre or elurõõm that all can enjoy.
You can view Laani and Thomas’ artworks at Cedar Ridge Creative Centre Gallery (Cedar Ridge Park, 225 Confederation Dr, Scarborough, ON M1G 1B2) any day of the week until Wednesday November 19th.
Photo gallery
Photos by Kerr Lee (except as noted)
