FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 17, 2003.
Christian Bernard Singer: An Exhibition of Paintings and Sculptures
Toronto, Ontario, October 17, 2003 - Christian Bernard Singer: Paintings and Sculptures, a solo exhibition about male primal desire and mystical expression in the Upstairs Gallery of This Ain't The Rosedale Library, Toronto.
Western society in the 21st century is undergoing a paradigm shift in its understanding of gender expression and its politics. As we begin moving from questions of gender equity to a greater shifting of gender categories, entirely new possibilities of self-definition are brought into being, allowing us to explore sexuality on both personal and collective levels.
Still, the taboo of the penis not only remains, but has also gained entirely new levels of complexity. Regardless of sexual identity, Western society sends males conflicting meanings about sexual pleasure and drive against a backdrop of religion, disease, aggression, and even penis as emblem for male as oppressor. Rather than support the emancipation of male sexuality in positive, socially responsible and life-giving ways, socio-political messages from both the Right and Left (regardless of intention) project fear and confusion. While some other cultures publicly celebrate the penis (India, Japan, and others), in our society, the penis remains in the closet.
This solo exhibition of recent works by Christian Bernard Singer includes humorous ceramic penises with foreskins forming into luscious lips, a suspended bronze torso, and a series of acrylic paintings entitled Dancing Man. While bypassing canons of masculinity, these works turn on notions of seduction, provocation, and humour and represent an inquiry into male archetypes of lover, trickster, and mystic.
Opening Reception: Saturday, October 25, 2003 from 2:00 to 6:00 PM
Dates: Exhibition runs from October 23 to November 4.
Gallery Hours:
Tuesdays to Sundays
12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
481½ Church Street, Toronto
(2nd floor, above This Ain't The Rosedale Library on Church between Maitland and Wellesley)
©2004 Christian Bernard Singer.
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