As one of the most prevalent genres of visual art, portraiture has been explored by most artists throughout history. Widely accepted as a very challenging subject, figurative works seek to capture a likeness, emotion, expression, personality, and connection with the viewer.

For the 2023 DesignTO Festival, the Beauchamp Gallery will present a curated collection of portraiture and figurative works including a variety of styles. This exhibition will feature the lively caricatures by Raphaelle Seguin, gritty street art by Istaymute, renaissance drapery on Najib Chakchem’s figures, surreal photography by Miguel Vallinas, contemporary realism by Agnes Robin, optical Illusions by Virginie Schroeder, Corno’s iconic expressive faces, primitive bronzes by Gregoire Aniocles, sensual poses by Cynthia Coulombe Begin, and sculpted clay busts by Joel Prevost. These figurative interpretations will engage the viewer while exploring notions of the body and delve into the captive mystery that portraiture can hold.

All visitors are welcome to attend this free exhibition!

DesignTO x KEDD

‘Tête-à-Tête: A Portrait Exhibition’ 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.

• External Influences by Charlotte Blake at Daltile | Mohawk Group (160 King Street East)
• Tête-à-Tête: A Portrait Exhibition at Beauchamp Art Gallery (167 King Street East)
• MINDFULLY MADE at EQ3 (222 King Street East)
• Democracy in Motion by by ARCTRN Group at Aquavato’s future showroom (158 Front Street East; west side of Sherbourne Street, north of Front Street)
• bulthaup X Carl Hansen & Søn: ‘The Sound of Design’ at bulthaup Toronto (280 King Street East)
• Octet Truss w/ Snake by Jamie Wolfond Studio at bulthaup Toronto (280 King Street East)
• digitalSTRUCTURES: Data and Urban Strategies of the Civic Future by Wendy W. Fok at Relative Space (330 King Street East)
• United by Design, Detroit x Toronto: A tale of two design cities by Design Core Detroit and Cambria at Cambria Gallery (91 Parliament Street)
• Toller Cranston – The Painter: An Exhibition of Original Works at Cambria Gallery (91 Parliament Street)
• Make the Invisible Visible: A BMD Data Visualization Hackathon at Bruce Mau Design Studio (340 King Street East, Suite 500)

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.