Just what Gerrard East needs… some GAS

Max MacDonald was a good choice for first artist to show at the brand new Gerrard Art Space. He filled the walls… and I mean filled… with at least a hundred colourful, textured, imaginative abstracts with a variety of themes and palettes.
Often (but not always) painted on pieces of weathered board and bits of what looks like driftwood, MacDonald’s paintings are objects that don’t require frames. Most are about shapes and colour combinations, composition, pattern and texture. They are all lively and engaging.
I liked the work and just wish that the artist would sign them on the front. They are so handmade and personally expressive, I think the maker’s mark would add something.
GAS is a welcome addition to the Gerrard strip, known best as Little India. I hope that the artists’ cooperative exhibit space will inspire imaginative uses for some of the down-at-the-heels storefronts… and I believe it will.
BTW, GAS will run on memberships and they are accepting artist/members at present. Costs are a realistic $80 – $100/month… what an opportunity for artists to gather together, show their work and sell to the public without paying commissions. Brilliant idea! Good for art prices, too, if Mr MacDonald’s show is any indication. I lost my price list on the way home but I do remember that most of the works were available for anything from a few hundred dollars to under $200.

The turnout for Opening Day was gratifyingly good. I notice that our tireless city councillor Mary Margaret McMahon was in the crowd. The exhibition space is inviting and the opening offered tables of tasties and glasses of wine. Welcome to the neighbourhood, GAS.