Fall 2023 Art News

I had a busy and creative fall. Firstly, I co-curated the Art Department Art Gallery for Canadian Production Design Week at the Directors Guild of Canada Members Hub with Production Designers Liz Bischof and Rose Legacé. They’re also part of the organizers from the Canadian Production Design Association. So honoured to work with some amazing artists/designers from the screen-based industry across Canada and present their artwork in this group exhibition.

Photos of artwork by: 1. Jennifer Raetsen, Isabelle Hémard, Giselle Selim; 2. Nelson Cheng, Mario Méthot, Jody Clement (far right); 3. Astrid Ho, Max MacDonald, Ashley Devereux, Jennifer MacDonald, Peter Mihaichuk, Brian Verhoog, Colin Davis, Marian Wihak (far right), and various artists; 4. Various artists, Joel Richardson (right) and Rick Whitfield (far right); 5. Astrid Ho.

Then my newest monotypes on washi (Japanese paper) were exhibited at Art Toronto 2023, October 26-29. My series entitled Imaginations on the Georgian Trail were presented in the Open Studio booth at Art Toronto along with works by Rita Letendre, Jack Bush, Walter Procska, Lorna Livey, Shogo Okada and many more Canadian artists. So delighted and honoured that my artwork is shown with such esteemed and amazing artists. All the art in this photo (except for the Rita Letendre artwork because it was sold) is available at the Open Studio Shop.

Left side photo: I’m in the Open Studio booth at Art Toronto. My works (bottom display shelf) are shown with art by Rita Letendre (left), Ron Siu (top shelf), Winnie Truong, Joy Walker, Sameer Farooq, and (below my art) Lorna Livey.
Right side photo: Open Studio Instagram post of their Art Toronto booth with my artwork Imaginations on the Georgian Trail #2, monotype on washi with chine collé, 2023.

Summer Salon at Art Quarters Gallery *New Gallery*

I’m in a group exhibition, the first in-gallery exhibition since the pandemic began. I’m pretty excited about this and the gallery owners are my friends whom I’ve known since my art school days at OCAD. I hope you can catch the show. I have 5 works in the show and if you don’t see all of my works on display, you can ask to see them. Check out the details below the invitation.

Summer Salon 2021

Exhibiting works 30+ artists

July 28th- September 25th, 2021

Gallery Hours:

Tues-Thurs 12-5pm, Fri + Sat 11am-6pm

Check out a wide selection of paintings, sculptures, prints, paper, mixed media, ceramic, apparel, paper, functional.

Featuring:

David Brown, Ross Bonfanti, Maciek Balmas, Natalie Cannistraro, Carrie Chisholm, Janice Colbert, Christine Kim, Julie Liger-Belair, Yasmine Louis, Leone McComas, Catherine Faiello, Elizabeth Fearon, Flandry, Jane Holden, Allison MacPhail, Printed Pottery, Giancarlo Piccin, Erin Glover & Robert Malinowski, Astrid Ho, Randy Hryhorczuk, Gillian Iles, Beverley Rosenberg, Erin Robertson, Rupen, Iner Souster, Amita Sen Gupta, Giselle Silvestri, Rachael Speirs, Andrea Stokes, Sandra Tarantino, Manny Trinh, Colour Worship, Jason Van Horne, Natalie Waddell, Jennifer Wigmore

*We are currently follow Covid-19 protocols. Social distancing and masks are required in the gallery.

Follow @artquartersgallery on Instagram and Facebook for current updates and news.

Phone: 416 410 7070 Address: 1057 St Clair Ave West, Toronto, ON M6E 1A6

Join Me for OCAD UNIVERSITY Project 31: New Futures

I am excited that my work has been selected as part of OCAD Univeristy’s Project31: New Futures collection celebrating the tremendous talent, imagination, and creativity of BIPOC artists and designers at OCAD University.

Register for the FREE VIP Live Auction VIRTUAL event on June 24 or Silent Auction Silent Auction, June 16-30.

Register for FREE VIP ACCESS at https://project31-2021.eventbrite.ca/

Works in the collection include BIPOC Artists and Designers:

Kevin Bae; Jason Baerg; Anthia Barboutsis; Michael Belmore; Nathan Eugene Carson; Shea Chang; Kestin Cornwall; Vanessa Dion Fletcher; Yining Fu; Sugandha Gaur; Astrid Ho; Andre Kan; Natalie King; Kotoba Jewellery; Surendra Lawoti; JJ Lee; Julius Poncelet Manapul; Ashok Mathur and Soleil Launière; Michael Lee Poy; Shevon J. Lewis; Aaron Li-Hill; Charmaine Lurch; Sanaz Mazinani; Anna Jane McIntyre; Peter Morin and Ayumi Goto; Kathy Moscou; Nithikul Nimkulrat; Emma Nishimura; Eugene Paunil; Abigail Permell; Lilian Sim; Dionne Simpson ; Moraa Elizabeth Stump; Gary Taxali; Yaw Tony; Annie Tung; Natalie Majaba Waldburger; Alia Weston Jewellery; Amy Wong; X Height Media; and Shaheer Zazai. + more

All funds raised from both the silent and live auctions will support our BIPOC students as well as programming to OCAD University Faculties.

One of the works I submitted for the event is my Bloomfield Barn, monotype on washi, 2020.

One of the works I submitted for the event is my Bloomfield Barn, monotype on washi, 2020.

Happy Monday! Check-out My Upcoming Exhibitions 2020

I have some new and recent works on paper in a couple of exhibitions. First is the 25th anniversary of Propeller Art Gallery beginning on July 25, 2020. It’ll be an online exhibition of current members and alumni. I can’t believe it’s been 25 years since I co-founded this gallery. My very first show was a group exhibition with Ross Bonfanti, Dale Thompson, Mahshid Farhoudi, Mija Kim, Mei-Lee Fong and a whole bunch of people from OCA(D). I’ll have three images of my artwork on view. Click here to see the exhibition and you can register for the opening on their page.

Then two of my prints have been selected for The Ontario Miniature Print Exhibition (TOMPE) 2020 at Print London in London, Ontario. This is a physical group exhibition of original prints on July 29 - August 15, 2020 with the virtual opening reception to be confirmed.

I’ve also added new prints to my website. I worked in isolation at my shared studio during the COVID-19 shutdowns. I haven’t seen my studio mates since the shutdown and I miss them terribly. As an extrovert working in isolation is difficult but I’m grateful to have a space to create my art. Part of my studio time now is sanitizing the space before I leave for the day.

My new works are all monotypes on washi (Japanese paper) based on random images taken from my phone, mostly of my travels and neighbourhood, and from my imagination. I experimented with chine collé, diptychs (multiple print panels) and multi-layered monotypes. They are not deeply philosophical works but rather direct translations of my observations, as a cite for contemplation and therapy. During that time, I was struggling with depression and anxieties, as with a lot of people. I loosened the expectations that I had with my art, allowing myself to make mistakes, deriving pure joy in the process and reminiscing on their memories. These are a selection of prints that I created and are are all available for purchase. Check out my website and/or subscribe to my email list, as I continue to add images of my new work in an ongoing basis.

Images (left to right): Bloomfield Barn, monotype on washi, 2020, 8” x 6”; On the Wellington Dock, monotype on washi, 2020, 8” x 6” (image); Terrace Party, monotype on washi, 2020, 8” x 6”; Rooftop View #5, monotype on washi, 12” x 12.8”, 2019; Work-in-progress, painting with inks on plastic plate; Untitled Work-in-Progress, 2020, monotypes on paper, diptych, 6.25” x 6.25”; As My Mind Wanders, monotype on washi, 2020, 8” x 6” (image).

Come Up To My Room at the Gladstone Hotel

Come Up To My Room 2020 wrapped at the Gladstone Hotel in Toronto. The event began on Thursday, January 16 and ran to Sunday, January 19, 2020 but my co-curators Lee Petrie and Megan Feheley began working on the show long before then (about 6 months ago and I started in November). It’s been an unforgettable experience, visiting artists in their workspace in various locations, including one studio visit at a storage facility. I met a lot of inspiring people throughout this process. Check-out my pics on my Facebook and Instagram site for their pics!

Below are photos I took with some of the artists I worked with and their installations at the Gladstone Hotel.

Pictured with Elizabeth D’Agostino and her print installation, Mega Fauna and Other Collisions, 2020.

Pictured with Emmie Tsumura. We’re holding her pigeon drawings from her work, Sound of a Mud Puddle, 2020.

Pictured with Svava Thordis Juliusson with her sculptural installation Unmentioned Etc. (The Substance of a Particular Colour), 2020.

Pictured with Anne-Marie Cosgrove and her painting installation, Parade, 2020.

Instagram post/pic with co-curator, Megan Feheley, 2020.

It's Not Me, It's You - Exhibition with AWOL Collective

I’m in a group show with the fabulous AWOL. I’ll have new prints in the show along with 30+ artists. Join me on September 14!Ima

Images below invitation (top to bottom, left to right): Untitled (pink, turquoise and umber), 2019, monotype on washi, 9.5” x 7.25”; View from the Staircase, 2019, monotype and threads on washi, 9” x 13; Ephemeral Thoughts, 2018, monotype on washi, 8.75” x 11”; Scratches and Zigzags, monotype and threads on washi, 9.5” x 7.25”.

Click here and go to my Instagram for highlights of this exhibition.

My four prints in the exhibition.

Summer printing

For over a year, I’ve been working on a series of monoprints for my personal narrative project based on photos from my childhood taken by my father. I begin with the monotype layer on washi. Later on I’ll print the lithography layer on top of this. Each impression will have an edition of 8 prints. That means I paint a monotype layer and print it 8-10 times (need room for errors). With each monotype impression, I look at the photograph for imagery guidance. Though it may seem like a paint-by-number process, it’s actually a long and laboured process as I look at the photograph critically each time and paint each monotype layer with varying colours and brushworks. I’m using Hosokawa Student paper and it prints beautifully.

Below: Printing at Open Studio with the prints on the drying rack. Click the image to see the second image.

Open Studio Shop

The Open Studio Shop is carrying my unique prints. Along with buying my works through my website, you can also buy my prints at Open Studio, in their 401 Richmond or online. Go to the shop site to see what’s available.

Weekend Monotype Workshop at Art Gallery of Burlington

I had a really delightful weekend at the Art Gallery of Burlington sharing my monotype techniques with some of the Burlington Fine Arts Association members on April 27 & 28. Two full days of paint-and-printing fun. Here are some pics (click for slideshow) from my demonstration taken by BFAA member and workshop participant, Vanessa Cress Lokos. Everybody created some fantastic monotypes considering it’s their first time. Thanks for inviting me Burlington Fine Arts Association!

All photos of demos courtesy of Vanessa Cress Lokos, 2019. Click on image for slideshow.

Happy Lunar New Year!

Wishing everybody a happy Year-of-the-Pig! Gong Hay Fat Choy! I created these prints in 2010 based on objects my mother gave me. For more info.

Image: Year-of-the-Pig Candy Dish, Year-of-the-Pig Candy Dish (Yellow-Gold), 2010, lithographs on Kiraku Kozo paper, AP and edition of 3, 81 x 62 cm. Photo by Thomas Blanchard.
For purchase inquiry.

Studio Art Sale in Parkdale on Dec. 15, 2018

My friend, Amita Sen Gupta, invited me to a studio art sale in Parkdale. Join us on Saturday, December 15, 12-5 PM at 201 Cowan Ave., Toronto (St. Marks Church). I’m selling my small fine art prints at special show prices, and newly monotype printed unique notecards. Other artists will have paintings, jewellery and handmade clothes for sale. Come on by for an afternoon of festive fun and support local artists this holiday season!

Images of new works on paper, details of Rooftop View #2, 2018, Monotype on washi, 9.75" x 8" paper size; Composition with Cherry Blossoms, 2018, monotype with Chiyogami chine collé on washi, 10.5" x 8.5" paper size; Untitled (pink & teal), 2018, monotype on washi, 5" x 5.25" paper size. All by Astrid Ho.

Annual Washi Artists Sale at the Japanese Paper Place

To follow-up on this washi-filled event you can view my Instagram posts.

Join me and over 17 artists at the Japanese Paper Place on Saturday, November 17, 11 am - 5 pm, for a show and sale of creative works on washi. I’ll have new small prints on washi for sale, along with almost everything I’ve printed on these beautiful papers. I’m holed up in my studio preparing for this. I hope you can make it!

Image of Artwork: Rooftop View 1 by Astrid Ho, 2018, monotype on washi, 8” x 6” image and paper size.

Me and my new prints at the Annual Washi Artists Sale at The Japanese Paper Place. Photo courtesy of Dominique Prévost.

Abstract Women Artists at Capital One, Toronto

I’m in a group exhibition curated by Tracey Capes in the downtown Toronto office at Capital One with other fantastic artists from Open Studio. I helped her organize it (my last off-site exhibition as an Open Studio staff member), and I usually don’t want to be in shows that I organize, but Tracey wanted to include me and I felt honoured that she did. Below are pics of the reception for the exhibition, and it celebrates women artists who work with abstract imagery. Plus I saw the works I sold to Capital One through Tracey Capes when I worked at Open Studio, in the winter 2018. The show runs to October 2018 and I think it’s only visible by appointment as the show is in their office. If you’re interested in any of the works contact Open Studio up to the end of the show. Really great to be a part of this. Thank you Tracey for including me!

Photos of: Artist, Astrid Ho and curator, Tracey Capes in front of Astrid’s work (left) and work by Susan Cunningham; View from Birmingham Library (UK) #4; View from Birmingham Library (UK) #3'; installation view of exhibition with work by (right to left) Carlina Chen, Irina Schestakowich, Loree Ovens, Laura Bydlowska, Libby Hague and Yael Brotman; other perspective of installation with works by Yael Brotman and other artists; another installation view with works by (left to right) Carlina Chen, Ann Unger, Lorna Livey, Isabelle Hémard and others; Ann Unger and her Library Book Pockets series purchased by Capital One, 2018 (one set of the many works purchased by them).

A Print Day at Smokestacks Studio

It was energizing printing some of my latest prints at Laine Groenewg’s Smokestacks Studio in Hamilton, ON. You have a fantastic studio, Laine! Thank you for hosting me! 

Work-in-progress monotype plate. 

Another Saturday Printing Day

Here’s another Saturday of printing.  This etching is of an allium and is for the International Print Exchamge.  A bunch of us printmakers from Open Studio are contributing. It’s been awhile since I’ve done an etching but it’s like riding a bicycle. 

Happy Year-of-the-Dog

Happy Lunar New Year! This year is an auspicious year for me as I celebrate dog year, my year. Here’s a pic taken by my friend Thomas Blanchard of my print installation In the Eleventh Cycle . This work was based on a pair of plastic gold dogs my mother gave me years ago, and I considered how traditions are now meditated in these kitschy items. At the same time these are the traditions I know and are passed down to me. I hope you celebrate today with family, good friends and lots of food. Kunghei fatchoy!

First Snow

I know we’re past the first day of snow. I’m posting this work from early 2000 and the sled is from my childhood, the first time I saw snow. It’s for sale: “First Snow”, 2005, etching, chine collé, threads and acrylic on canvas, 12”x12”, $150 CAD.

I remember when we lived in Crescent Town we would slide down the hill at our school before our grandmother picked us up after school. She didn’t like that and we were eventually forbidden to do this. We still did it in secret.

CPAMO Fundraising Video Launch →

I'm on this fantastic board at CPAMO, Cultural Pluralism in the Arts Movement Ontario. We just launched a fundraising video, and I have a role in it. Have a look by going to this link. Open Studio also plays an important role in this video. Yes that's me in Open Studio's lithography area. Spot the art and all the artists are credited. Also please donate to CPAMO's fundraiser, whatever you can donate. There are some pretty great prizes for various support levels and funds raised go to our ongoing commitment and support to discuss and showcase works of art by Indigneous, racialized and historically marginalized artists.

Image: Still from CPAMO video by Jessica Thalmann and John Du, 2017.

Open Studio’s Artist Proof Sale 2017

The unique prints I submitted for Open Studio’s Artist Proof Sale. Want to know what they are? You’ll have to attend the event or go to the show which opens in Nov. 30 and ends on Dec. 22., 2017.