Precarious Joys is the title of the third edition of the Toronto Biennial of Art (TBA) that features 55+ artists and over 90 works of art from diverse geographies, working across various disciplines. On now until December 1st, TBA offers 10 weeks of free contemporary art at 11 unique locations across Toronto. 

Precarious Joys explores the emotional climate of our times, acknowledging our vulnerability and grief while emphasizing the importance of passion and beauty in driving social change. The Biennial is organized around open dialogues and poetic connections, and will also host a number of public and learning programs as part of its event. It explores artists’ responses to colonialism’s impact and the multiple ways representation contributes to collective survival and the regeneration of our social fabric.

The curators have been deeply immersed in dialogues and active listening, a crucial element in their curatorial journey traversing national and international landscapes, numerous artist studios, and professional art encounters in Toronto, and beyond.  According to its online digital guide which can be downloaded from the website, the exhibition will explore issues including environmental justice, sovereignty, self-representation, belonging and migration, collective memory and feminist genealogies. The guide adds that the biennial will draw on the terms: joy, precarious, home, polyphony, solace and coded.

Toronto Biennial of Art Main Hub – 32 Lisgar Street

One of three Biennial-run sites, this exhibition hub hosts 15 artists who present works that bring together video installations, sculptures, paintings, drawings, and a VR film, including five new commissions. The Public Programming and Learning space is for continued conversations, gatherings, and explorations with our visitors. Throughout the course of the Biennial, this area is transformed by artists and partners who generously share their practices and methodologies. This space also hosts TBA’s artist-commissioned Mobile Arts Curriculum tools that encourage critical and reflexive learning through participatory activities for visitors of all ages.  Additional educational and theoretical content is found within the Onsite Library.

Toronto West End TBA Locations:

Gallery TPW

The Auto BLDG at 158 Sterling, 9th Floor

32 Lisgar St and Park Billboard at Abell St and Queen St W

Toronto Pearson Airport

Toronto Downtown TBA Locations:

AGO

The Image Centre (TMU)

Toronto Sculpture Garden

Collision Gallery Toronto

Union Station

The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery

About the Author

Bryen Dunn is a freelance journalist with a focus on travel, lifestyle, entertainment and hospitality. He has an extensive portfolio of celebrity interviews with musicians, actors and other public personalities. He enjoys discovering delicious eats, tasting spirited treats, and being mesmerized by musical beats.