The Toronto Biennial of Art (TBA) has revealed the theme, artist lineup, and venues for its highly anticipated third edition. Running from September 21 to December 1, 2024, this ten-week event, free to the public, will be spread across 12 locations throughout the city.
The 2024 Biennial, titled Precarious Joys, aims to explore the emotional climate of contemporary times. Through this theme, the biennial delves into the impacts of colonialism, the power of representation, the processes of regeneration, and the ways emotions can drive social change.
The central exhibition hub will be located at 32 Lisgar Street, with additional hubs at 158 Sterling Road and Collision Gallery, among other venues across Toronto.
Curated by Dominique Fontaine and Miguel A. López, the biennial is structured around open dialogues and poetic connections. Fontaine and López have immersed themselves in extensive dialogues and active listening sessions, spanning national and international landscapes, artist studios, and professional art encounters in Toronto and beyond. This curatorial approach highlights the significance of vulnerability, grief, passion, and beauty in today's social fabric.
Africans get representation
Among the diverse array of international artists, three stand out for their African roots and their significant contributions to contemporary art: Abraham O. Oghobase, Ahmed Umar, and Dineo Seshee Bopape.
Abraham O. Oghobase (Nigeria)
Abraham O. Oghobase, born in 1979 in Nigeria, is co-presented with Gallery TPW. Oghobase is celebrated for his evocative exploration of identity, memory, and social justice through photography and multimedia installations. His work often reflects on the socio-political landscape of Nigeria, capturing the essence of human resilience and the quest for freedom. By blending personal narratives with broader historical contexts, Oghobase's art challenges viewers to reconsider their understanding of African experiences.
Ahmed Umar (Sudan)
Ahmed Umar, born in 1988 in Sudan, brings a unique perspective to the Biennial. Umar’s work spans various media, including sculpture, performance, and installation. He delves into themes of identity, heritage, and the complexities of belonging, often drawing from his personal experiences as an LGBTQ+ individual in a conservative society. Umar’s art is a powerful commentary on cultural norms and the struggles for self-expression and acceptance, making his contributions deeply resonant in today’s global discourse on human rights and identity.
Dineo Seshee Bopape (South Africa)
Dineo Seshee Bopape, born in 1981 in South Africa, is co-commissioned with the Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery. Bopape's multidisciplinary practice spans video, installation, painting, and sculpture. Her work delves into themes of memory, trauma, and the environment, often incorporating elements such as soil, clay, and organic materials to evoke a deep connection to the land. Bopape’s pieces are known for their emotional intensity and their ability to convey the complex layers of post-colonial African identity.
The full list
The 2024 TBA will feature works from 36 artists, including one collective, representing Canada and various global regions. The participating artists are:
Abraham O. Oghobase (Nigeria), co-presented with Gallery TPW
Ahmed Umar (Sudan)
Angélica Serech (Guatemala)
Cecilia Vicuña (Chile)
Charles Campbell (Jamaica), co-commissioned and co-produced with the National Gallery of Canada
Citra Sasmita (Indonesia)
Cristina Flores Pescorán (Perú)
Dineo Seshee Bopape (South Africa), co-commissioned with the Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery
Elina Waage Mikalsen (Sápmi-Norway)
Elyla (Nicaragua)
Gaëlle Choisne (France)
Hangama Amiri (Pakistan)
IKUMAGIALIIT, performance band with Laakkuluk Williamson Bathory, Cris Derksen, Jamie Griffiths, and Christine Tootoo, co-presented with the Image Centre at Toronto Metropolitan University
Justine A. Chambers (Canada)
Karen Tam (Canada)
Léann Herlihy (Ireland)
Leila Zelli (Iran)
Manuel Mathieu (Haiti), co-presented with Gallery TPW
Maria Ezcurra (Argentina/Mexico)
Maria Hupfield (Canada)
Morehshin Allahyari (Iran)
Morris Lum (Trinidad and Tobago)
Naomi Rincón Gallardo, co-commissioned and co-produced with KADIST
Nereyda López (Peru)
Nicholas Galanin (Tlingit and Unangax̂, US)
Pamila Matharu (UK)
Rajni Perera (Sri Lanka), co-presented with the Toronto Sculpture Garden
Raven Chacon (Navajo Nation, US)
Rudy Loewe (UK)
Sameer Farooq (Canada), co-commissioned and co-presented with Agnes Etherington Art Centre
Sandra Brewster (Canada)
Santiago Yahuarcani (Peru)
Sonia Boyce, DBE RA (UK), initiated and organized by the PHI Foundation, presented in partnership with the Art Gallery of Ontario
Stina Baudin (Canada)
Tessa Mars (Haiti)
Winsom Winsom ("The Universe")
The Toronto Biennial of Art’s mission is to make contemporary art accessible to all. For ten weeks every two years, the Biennial transforms Toronto with artworks, talks, and performances, fostering inspiration, bridging communities, and contributing to global conversations.
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