STUDIO GALLERY AND ARITZIA PRESENT: TV Books

by Haley Cullingham
There’s something tiny and exciting invading the city next week. Toronto, meet TV Books. Tim Barber, a former photo editor for Vice, and curator of tinyvices.com, and now tvbookshop.com, both online galleries featuring brilliant and cutting-edge work from a variety of artists, is coming to the Studio Gallery to showcase his latest venture. TV Books are tiny artistic masterpieces (to get a preview, visit tvbookshop.com and watch a quicktime flipbook of some of the work). Vanessa Gronowski, director of Studio Gallery, says “Tim Barber has a great eye for emerging artists and photographers. He has a very strong understanding of what's happening in the art world, and I think his site Tiny Vices is a great representation of the current movement.” A quick look at a few of the artists represented in this show, and you begin to understand what she’s talking about. “This is the first time that Tiny Vices has shown in Toronto (or Canada, for that matter), however there are many Tiny Vices artists from Toronto. I'm hoping it will turn into a Tiny Vices Toronto reunion of sorts…I'm also excited to see the newest TV Book by local artist and old friend Ben Schumacher. His drawings are often of his childhood memories, and it's interesting to see how he visualizes and interprets some of our shared memories.” 

Studio Gallery is partnering with Aritzia to bring the show to the city. For many years, Aritzia has “connected its customers to the energy of culture.  We’re inspired by what surrounds us - Fashion. Music. Art. Design.  Our stores are a place to share our most beloved treasures.” In that spirit, the new bags, gift cards, and website will present a selection of work by Ryan McGinley.  “Right now, we’re particularly fond of the irreverent aesthetic of an emerging set of artists and photographers. Tim Barber’s roster of artists for TV Books reflect that spirit as well – an exciting array of contemporary art and photography that is youthful and irreverent.” 

Vanessa shares that enthusiasm “I've been a big follower of Tiny Vices for many years now. It's been exciting to watch Tiny Vices artists such as Ryan McGinley, Dash Snow, Richard Kern, and Aurel Schmidt develop into influential artists and photographers in the contemporary art world.”

We could sing the praises of Tiny Vices artists, and of Tim Barber, for pages, but instead, head to The Drakesalon on Tuesday night(August 19th)  and find out for yourself. From 6-8 pm, Drake curator Mia Neilsen will be in conversation with Barber and visiting Tiny Vices artists. Books will also be available for sale at this event. The show kicks off on August 20th with a reception starting at 7 pm, at Studio Gallery, 294 College St, 2nd Floor. (www.studio.to).