Gary Taxali "Shanti Town" | January 30 - February 9, 2014

Gary Taxali "Shanti Town" A Pop Up Exhibition Thursday 30 January 2014 to Sunday 9 February 2014

Gallery Hours: Weekdays from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Weekends from 12 Noon to 5:00 pm Artist's Website: www.garytaxali.com Artist Talk: Saturday 1 February 2014 from 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Opening Reception: Thursday 30 January 2014 from 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm Exhibition to be held at Waddington’s 275 King Street East, 2nd Floor Toronto Ontario Canada M5A 1K2

Waddingtons.ca

Front Cover 37.

Shanti Town Inside Front Cover 22.

Over There Title Page 21.

Rowbox Inside Back Cover 11.

Devil Tongue 12.

Chump 3d Back Cover 31.

Farewell Party

This catalogue and its contents Š 2014 Waddington McLean & Company Ltd. Except for copyright in all artwork and Gary's foreword which belongs to Gary Taxali 2012-2014.

All rights reserved.

Enquiries Stephen Ranger 416 847 6194 skr@waddingtons.ca

GARY TAXALI “SHANTI TOWN” Gary Taxali has been heralded for his unique voice as both an artist and award-winning illustrator. His CV is a testament to his success as an artist who has captured a generation thirsty for remembrance and ready to be challenged, moved and amused.

Inspired by vintage comics and advertising art, Taxali’s signature style reinvents pop and retro aesthetics creating a thoroughly contemporary commentary on popular culture. His works are thoughtful explorations into the paradoxical relationships between image and text, past and present, whimsy and satire, all united by a never-ending cast of unique characters. Taxali’s work resonates with our media-saturated visual environments while creating an ironic yet accessible portal through which we see our shared human experience.

“Shanti Town” shines light on a number of corners of Taxali’s universe and represents a wide cross section of his current work. This exhibition includes sculpture, toys, textiles and even wine labels alongside his iconic works on paper. Allow the imagery of his work to inform and remind you of what you already know but may have, once upon a time, forgotten.

— Stephen Ranger Canadian Contemporary Art Specialist

"In Hindi, the word "shanti" means peace or tranquility. "Shanty" is also a ghetto or impoverished village often located within or on the outskirts of a city. The double meaning is appropriate in how I wish to convey the messages in my work. 1930's Depression era signs, posters, packaging and graphics have always served as a large mood inspiration for my art. My fascination with this era highlights my preoccupation with the paradoxes of human relationships, love, isolation, period advertisements, propaganda, and economic despair and frustration – all recurring themes in the works presented in this show. Yet, there is also a recurring sense of acceptance of "what is" in every piece. This is where I cannot escape from humour. While it mocks the worst parts of the human condition, it also binds us to a shared understanding that life should never be taken too seriously. I simply cannot think of a more peaceful way to be than that."

— Gary Taxali

Gary Taxali "Shanti Town" A Pop Up Exhibition

ConcreteContemporaryArt.Waddingtons.ca

1.

A NEW DAY Mixed media on book cover 8.5” x 11” 13.25” x 15.75” Framed

10

Gary Taxali "Shanti Town" - A Pop Up Exhibition - Thursday 30 January 2014 to Sunday 9 February 2014

2.

BOBBLE Mixed media on book cover 10.5” x 7.5” 15.5” x 12.25” Framed

11

ConcreteContemporaryArt.Waddingtons.ca

3.

WEDNESDAY THURSDAY Mixed media on paper 7.5” x 8.5” 12.5” x 13.25” Framed

12

Gary Taxali "Shanti Town" - A Pop Up Exhibition - Thursday 30 January 2014 to Sunday 9 February 2014

4.

FILM ROLES Mixed media on paper 9.5” x 7” 18.75” x 16” Framed

13

ConcreteContemporaryArt.Waddingtons.ca

5.

SOMETIMES IS NOT ENOUGH Mixed media on paper 10.5” x 15.5” 15.5” x 20.5” Framed

14

Gary Taxali "Shanti Town" - A Pop Up Exhibition - Thursday 30 January 2014 to Sunday 9 February 2014

6.

FREEWAY Mixed media on book cover 6” x 6” 10.5” x 10.75” Framed

15

ConcreteContemporaryArt.Waddingtons.ca

7.

LA SHUCKY Mixed media on book covers 7.5” x 10” 12.25” x 15” Framed

16

Gary Taxali "Shanti Town" - A Pop Up Exhibition - Thursday 30 January 2014 to Sunday 9 February 2014

8.

OK BURGER Mixed media on paper 9.5” x 15.5” 19” x 24” Framed

17

ConcreteContemporaryArt.Waddingtons.ca

9.

HINDI LOVE SONG Ink on steel 29.5” x 23.5” unframed

18

Gary Taxali "Shanti Town" - A Pop Up Exhibition - Thursday 30 January 2014 to Sunday 9 February 2014

10.

GUM Ink on wood 16” x 16” unframed

19

ConcreteContemporaryArt.Waddingtons.ca

11.

DEVIL TONGUE Ink on wood 17” x 11” unframed

20

Gary Taxali "Shanti Town" - A Pop Up Exhibition - Thursday 30 January 2014 to Sunday 9 February 2014

12.

CHUMP 3D Ink on wood 32” x 20” unframed

21

ConcreteContemporaryArt.Waddingtons.ca

13.

FUR-SURE Ink on steel 23.75” x 55.5” unframed

22

Gary Taxali "Shanti Town" - A Pop Up Exhibition - Thursday 30 January 2014 to Sunday 9 February 2014

14.

LAKSHMI TOWN Alkyd oil on wood 35.5” x 51.5” 37” x 53” Framed

23

ConcreteContemporaryArt.Waddingtons.ca

15.

WHEW FRIENDS Alkyd oil on wood 36” x 36” unframed

24

Gary Taxali "Shanti Town" - A Pop Up Exhibition - Thursday 30 January 2014 to Sunday 9 February 2014

16.

SHANTI Mixed media on wood 42” x 72” unframed

25

ConcreteContemporaryArt.Waddingtons.ca

17.

WINK Alkyd oil on wood 32” x 24” 35.5” x 27.5” framed

26

Gary Taxali "Shanti Town" - A Pop Up Exhibition - Thursday 30 January 2014 to Sunday 9 February 2014

18.

OH OH Alkyd oil on wood 32” x 24” 35.5” x 27.5” framed

27

ConcreteContemporaryArt.Waddingtons.ca

19.

GHEE Alkyd oil on wood 32” x 24” 35.5” x 27.25” framed

28

Gary Taxali "Shanti Town" - A Pop Up Exhibition - Thursday 30 January 2014 to Sunday 9 February 2014

20.

WHOOP Alkyd oil on wood 34” x 32” 37.25” x 35.5” framed

29

ConcreteContemporaryArt.Waddingtons.ca

21.

ROWBOX Alkyd oil on wood 14” x 10” unframed

30

Gary Taxali "Shanti Town" - A Pop Up Exhibition - Thursday 30 January 2014 to Sunday 9 February 2014

22.

OVER THERE Alkyd oil on wood 14” x 10” unframed

31

ConcreteContemporaryArt.Waddingtons.ca

23.

GREEN BEARD Ink on paper 25” x 16.5” 30” x 21.25” framed

32

Gary Taxali "Shanti Town" - A Pop Up Exhibition - Thursday 30 January 2014 to Sunday 9 February 2014

24.

LOOTY Ink on paper 24” x 18” 28.5” x 22.75” framed

33

ConcreteContemporaryArt.Waddingtons.ca

25.

NERVOUS PETE Mixed media on paper 7” x 5” 12” x 9.5” framed

34

Gary Taxali "Shanti Town" - A Pop Up Exhibition - Thursday 30 January 2014 to Sunday 9 February 2014

26.

NUMBER ONE FRIEND Mixed media on paper 7” x 13” 12.25” x 20.5” framed

35

ConcreteContemporaryArt.Waddingtons.ca

27.

FUNLY HOUSE Mixed media on paper 4.5” x 7” 9.5” x 12” framed

36

Gary Taxali "Shanti Town" - A Pop Up Exhibition - Thursday 30 January 2014 to Sunday 9 February 2014

28.

GUH Mixed media on paper 8.5” x 8.5” 13.5” x 13.5” framed

37

ConcreteContemporaryArt.Waddingtons.ca

29.

DANG Mixed media on paper 10.5” x 8.5” 15.75” x 13.5” framed

38

Gary Taxali "Shanti Town" - A Pop Up Exhibition - Thursday 30 January 2014 to Sunday 9 February 2014

30.

DEAR YOU Mixed media on book covers 14.5” x 10” 20.75” x 15.75” framed

39

ConcreteContemporaryArt.Waddingtons.ca

31.

FAREWELL PARTY Mixed media on paper 8.5” x 5” 13.5” x 10.5” framed

40

Gary Taxali "Shanti Town" - A Pop Up Exhibition - Thursday 30 January 2014 to Sunday 9 February 2014

32.

LET’S NEVER DANCE Mixed media on book cover/paper 9” x 11” 13.5” x 15.5” framed

41

ConcreteContemporaryArt.Waddingtons.ca

33.

LISTEN COP Mixed media on book cover 7” x 10” 11.5” x 15” framed

42

Gary Taxali "Shanti Town" - A Pop Up Exhibition - Thursday 30 January 2014 to Sunday 9 February 2014

34.

ACID FLOW Mixed media on paper 13” x 20” 18” x 25” framed

43

ConcreteContemporaryArt.Waddingtons.ca

35.

SEZ ME Mixed media on paper 11” x 10” 16” x 15” framed

44

Gary Taxali "Shanti Town" - A Pop Up Exhibition - Thursday 30 January 2014 to Sunday 9 February 2014

36.

SPORTLY GOODS Mixed media on paper 9.5” x 6.5” 14.5” x 12” framed

45

ConcreteContemporaryArt.Waddingtons.ca

37.

SHANTI TOWN Mixed media on paper 5.75” x 4.875” 11” x 10” framed

46

Gary Taxali "Shanti Town" - A Pop Up Exhibition - Thursday 30 January 2014 to Sunday 9 February 2014

38.

HEY FELLA Mixed media on paper 10” x 7” 14.75” x 11.75” framed

47

ConcreteContemporaryArt.Waddingtons.ca

39.

WASTIN’ AWAY ALL MY LIFE Mixed media on book cover 16.5” x 18” 22” x 23” framed

48

Gary Taxali "Shanti Town" - A Pop Up Exhibition - Thursday 30 January 2014 to Sunday 9 February 2014

40.

SATYA Mixed media on paper 12” x 17.5” 17” x 22” framed

49

ConcreteContemporaryArt.Waddingtons.ca

41.

TOTALLY REPUGNANT Bronze Sculpture (Edition of 9) 9” x 5” x 5”

50

Gary Taxali "Shanti Town" - A Pop Up Exhibition - Thursday 30 January 2014 to Sunday 9 February 2014

42.

OH NO Bronze Sculpture (Edition of 9) 6.5” x 4” x 4”

51

ConcreteContemporaryArt.Waddingtons.ca

Index

1.

A NEW DAY 11” x 8.5” 15.5” x 11” Framed $2,000 2.

BOBBLE 7.5” x 10.5” 12” x 15.5” Framed $2,000 3.

WEDNESDAY THURSDAY 8.5” x 7.5” 13.5” x 12.5” Framed $1,800 4.

FILM ROLES 7” x 9.5” 16” x 19” Framed $1,800

12.

CHUMP 3D 20” x 32” unframed $4,000 13.

FUR-SURE 56” x 24” unframed $6,000 14.

LAKSHMI TOWN 48” x 32” unframed $7,500 15.

WHEW FRIENDS 36” x 36” unframed $16,000 16.

SHANTI 42” x 72” unframed $15,000

5.

SOMETIMES IS NOT ENOUGH 15.5” x 10.5” 20.5” x 15.5” Framed $2,200

17.

WINK 24” x 32” 27” x 35” framed $5,500

6.

FREEWAY 6” x 6” 10.5” x 10.5” Framed $2,500

18.

OH OH 24” x 32” 27” x 35” framed $5,500

7.

LA SHUCKY 10” x 7.5” 15” x 12” Framed $2,000

19.

GHEE 24” x 32” 27” x 35” framed $5,500

8.

OK BURGER 15.5” x 9.5” 24” x 19” Framed $3,000

20.

WHOOP 32” x 34” 35” x 37” framed $6,500

9.

HINDI LOVE SONG 24” x 30” unframed $5,000

21.

ROWBOX 10” x 14” unframed $3,000

10.

GUM 16” x 16” unframed $2,000

22.

OVER THERE 10” x 14” unframed $2,500

11.

DEVIL TONGUE 11” x 17” unframed $2,000

23.

GREEN BEARD 16.5” x 25” 21” x 30” framed $4,000

52

24.

LOOTY 18” x 24” 22.5” x 28.5” framed $4,000

34.

ACID FLOW 20” x 13” 25” x 18” framed $3,000

25.

NERVOUS PETE 5” x 7” 9.5” x 12” framed $1,700

35.

SEZ ME 10” x 11” 15” x 16” framed $2,200

26.

NUMBER ONE FRIEND 13” x 7” 21” x 13” framed $3,000

36.

SPORTLY GOODS 6.5” x 9.5” 12” x 14.5” framed $1,800

27.

FUNLY HOUSE 7” x 4.5” 12” x 9.5” framed $1,600

37.

SHANTI TOWN 4.875” x 5.75” 10” x 11” framed $1,500

28.

GUH 8.5” x 8.5” 13” x 13” framed $2,500

38.

HEY FELLA 7” x 10” 12” x 15” framed $1,800

29.

DANG 8.5” x 10.5” 13” x 15.75” framed $3,500

39.

WASTIN’ AWAY ALL MY LIFE 18” x 16.5” 23” x 22” framed $3,500

30.

DEAR YOU 10” x 14.5” 15” x 20” framed $3,000

40.

SATYA 17.5” x 12” 22” x 17” framed $2,800

31.

FAREWELL PARTY 5” x 8.5” 10” x 14” framed $1,800

41.

TOTALLY REPUGNANT Bronze Sculpture (Edition of 9) 9” x 5” x 5” $3,500

32.

LET’S NEVER DANCE 11” x 9” 16” x 14” framed $2,500

42.

OH NO Bronze Sculpture (Edition of 9) 6.5” x 4” x 4” $3,000

33.

LISTEN COP 10” x 7” 15” x 11.5” framed $2,000

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Concrete Contemporary Art Waddingtons.ca

275 King Street East, Second Floor Toronto Ontario Canada M5A 1K2

Telephone: 416.504.9100 Fax: 416.504.0033 Toll Free: 1.877.504.5700