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Blood & Tears . 40 x 60” . Horimono
Home of a private collector
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I created this piece during the summer of 2020
as an echo to escalating social dysfunction, and protest cries of racial tensions set against the backdrop of the covid pandemic.
The title ‘Blood & Tears’ references an excerpt from Gil Scott-Heron’s poem “Who will survive in America”
The words of Heron, a prominent activist emerging from an age of segregation in the 1960’s, would prove to be prophetic as examples of police brutality against America’s Black community increased over the proceeding decades.
In traditional horimono, the tiger motif is expressed as a representation of strength, courage and resilience. I chose to reinterpret these qualities through the symbol of the black panther.
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Recently, I had the pleasure of working with skate legend Tyler Maher, co owner of Mano Cornuto - my favourite Italian restaurant in Montreal.
The “mano cornuto” or “sign of the horns” hand gesture, with its pinky and index finger extended and the others curled, has its origins in Italy -primarily used as a protective amulet warding off evil and bad luck.
The imagery created for this capsule incorporates the sign, with the Italian expression “Tutto Passa” literally translating to “everything passes” A reminder of the impermanence of life, and an acknowledgment of the beauty in every moment.
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EKS.REI for Mano Cornuto merch is available exclusively at the restaurant
@manocornuto.mtl
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“Reunion” . 2025
66 x 91 cm
Sumi ink, acrylic paint on cotton paper
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This artwork references the central image of my window display at Rally space for Nuit Blanche 7 years ago. A full circle moment for me, celebrating the past and present of 12 Ossington; a memento of the transience of all things, a foundation for renewal and rebirth.
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“Dead of night” . 2025
63 x 50 cm . Wax pencil, ink on cotton paper
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Part of an ongoing series, these vessel artworks question the interaction between subconscious and waking states. Cerulean blue impressions, mimic the glazes used on traditional East Asian porcelain- implying a fragility of ego over soul; a study on illusion and reality.
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“Don’t prey for love” . 2025
63 x 50 cm . Wax pencil, ink on cotton paper
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Part of an ongoing series, these vessel artworks question the interaction between subconscious and waking states. Cerulean blue impressions, mimic the glazes used on traditional East Asian porcelain- implying a fragility of ego over soul; a study on illusion and reality.
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Between the years 2015 - 2019, the structure at 12 Ossington Ave. was home to Rally - a creative incubator and collaborative art showcase, representing local and international talent.
During the autumn of 2018, weeks after I had transitioned my career to pursue art full time, I was given an opportunity to create a window display for Nuit Blanche. I look back with gratitude for that experience, sowing seeds in hopes of a fruitful future.
Though it had been designated with heritage status, in 2019 the building was found to be structurally unsound, and months later, demolished. Today the space that occupies 12 Ossington is a four-story, sand cast brick development - home to the Lost & Found team. At the beginning of this year I was invited back to work on a project with L&F and pay homage to the creative aura that still resonates there.
Our collaborative art print references the central image as part of my window display 7 years ago. This closed edition, limited to 20 pieces will be available exclusively at Lost & Found and never reprinted. In addition to this release, a rare EKS.REI ceramic vessel repaired through a kintsugi method will be given to one lucky collector through a raffle draw, A purchase of the print ensures an entry to this raffle, with a limit of 1 print per person.
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This Friday join us in celebrating the past and present of 12 Ossington; a memento of the transience of all things, as a foundation for renewal and rebirth.
