TORONTO (Digital Journal) — Stepping through the doors of the Sandra Ainsley Gallery, two thoughts come to mind: The first is a combination of instant amazement, admiration and curiosity; and the second is don’t break anything. As you work your way through the gallery, you quickly realize it showcases some of the most delicate and original pieces of art in the world.
The gallery features high ceilings, exposed brick and a vastness of space. The architecture is complemented by glass and mixed media exhibits. Some are large and colourful, while others are smaller with thousands of precise and deliberate cuts and etches. It’s obvious that each piece was created with intense care and passion, and displayed in an equally artistic manner.
By combining her love of art, education and artistic innovation, owner and curator Sandra Ainsley has been showcasing art for almost 20 years.
And like many businesses, an important determinant for success is location. Before 2003, Ainsley’s gallery was located in Toronto’s Exchange Tower. Now nestled in the middle of the trendy Distillery District, the gallery has become a hotspot for artists, art-lovers and tourists alike. On any given night, hundreds of people flock to the area, breezing though the nearby restaurants before stopping to see some of Ainsley’s collection.
And what a collection it is.
Each piece of art is mesmerizing and scintillating, projecting depth, originality, precision and beauty.
“I try to find pieces that haven’t been exposed in Canada,” Ainsley says. “I aim to find the most unique and empowering pieces and, of course, I have to find meaning in them.”
Each season brings new and refreshing exhibits and artists, so Ainsley’s gallery is always changing. Her creative energy fuels her desire to bring in new pieces and showcase artists from around the world.
While most artists come from Canada, many also hail from the U.S. and abroad. In fact, her reputation has grown worldwide and artists are now hunting her down to find a spot in the gallery. Among the artists showcased are avant-garde Washington native Dale Chihuly, detail-oriented Susan Edgerley and Toronto-born Paul Elia.
“The gallery is very exciting and full of contrast, but I try not to crowd it,” Ainsley says. “This way, you turn the corner and your eyes grab a new piece. Everything stands on its own.”
She’s right. Some artists relish the intricate shapes of blown glass, while others pay extreme attention to detail and colour.
The largest and perhaps most impacting piece stands tall and wide in the main entrance, almost kissing the ceiling. Designed by Chihuly, the sculpture eclectically combines colour, form, shape and emotion into one design called the “End of Day Tower.” With arm-like spikes that reach out to onlookers, the piece grabs its audience and holds it captive. The rich hues of red, yellow, green and blue are simple yet vibrant and alive. It gives the feeling of a wild tree with branches so rough you are wary, but so unusual you are intrigued. You want to touch it, but something tells you that it is forbidden. Fighting the temptation to touch is necessary because with a price tag of $260,000 (US), it is not something you’d want to see ruined. At the gallery, it’s so valuable and cherished that its own security guard monitors movement around it. Its beauty and originality could easily make it the centerpiece of any major gallery or personal collection anywhere around the globe.
Ainsley also carries a variety of vases and other gems starting at about $19,000. In addition, the gallery gift shop sells an assortment of jewellery, vases and knick-knacks at lower prices.
It is almost necessary that everyone visit a gallery like this at least once in his or her lifetime. The variety and uniqueness of its art is incomparable and always interpreted differently from person to person. The fragility of crystal mixed with the careful placement of colour and form make a visit to the Sandra Ainsley Gallery a mind- and glass- blowing experience.
This article is part of Digital Journal’s national magazine edition. Pick up your copy of Digital Journal in bookstores across Canada. Or subscribe to Digital Journal now, and receive 8 issues for $19.95 + GST ($39.95 USD).
