External Influences
Jan 20
Jan 31 2023
exhibition in-person

A partial exhibition of fibre based sculptures by Charlotte Blake created during the pandemic and successive lockdowns. ‘External Influences’ explores the effect of situational cognizance on the act of making art. The process of making can be a monotonous one, one without clear thought or intent, in which the maker looses themselves in the process and decisions feel intuitive. This work attempts to challenge the idea of intuitive work by the presence of external stimulus in the form of news. Throughout a large part of the creation of this work, news coverage of world events was played in the background. Through the process of labour these pieces are a direct visual response to concurrent events while experiencing the pandemic from the bubble of isolation.

Charlotte has combined loom weaving and basketry techniques and materials to explore ways of pushing dimensionality on a typically two-dimensional medium (loom weaving). Pieces are woven on a floor loom using cotton and rattan reed and then manipulated off loom to create form. Collaborating on some of the pieces is Kate Tessier, industrial and lighting designer.


DesignTO x KEDD

‘External Influences’ is one of 10 projects in the King East Design District (located in Old Town Toronto), a neighbourhood running along King Street East, from Church Street to Parliament Street. During the DesignTO Festival, you are invited to visit exhibitions, workshops and talks hosted in the showrooms of select local businesses.

On Friday, January 27, join us for King East Design District Party presented by DesignTO, a roaming neighbourhood party anchored by five Party Hubs. The KEDD Party is a must-attend bash, bringing together hundreds of designers and design-lovers.

Participants

Charlotte Blake with collaboration by Kate Tessier

Accessibility

Who should visitors contact with questions regarding accessibility?
Tania Compagno
Is this venue accessible by wheelchair or similar mobility devices? This includes access to washrooms and all aspects of programming/events.
Yes
Can people get to the venue using accessible transit?
Yes
red woven rattan and cotton
black and natural woven rattan
black and natural woven rattan and cotton
folded woven rattan and cotton with burnt edges