PRESS RELEASE: 2021 ‘Visitors’ Solo Exhibition by Todd Lawson at Elaine Fleck Gallery

This July I will be exhibiting new and recent work at my second solo exhibit to open at Elaine Fleck Gallery located in the Parkdale neighbourhood of Toronto. Encapsulating a journey started over a decade ago with my first Disney World painting all the way to new work created over the past year living in Lockdown. I hope you will come and see the work and RSVP to attend the reception.

“Visitors”
2021 Solo Exhibit
Elaine Fleck Gallery, Toronto, ON
July 1st-29th 2021

Opening Reception: Saturday, Jul 3rd, 12pm – 5pm

Show Statement

I have faced two culture shocks in my life. The first was moving to Florida at age 9 and being dumped into an alternate universe where tourism, retirees and locals intentionally segregated themselves into cultural bubbles and where I had only experienced as a child tourist in the past. As a child of Disney and Disney World Theme Parks, the Americana Land-of-Opportunity ‘Dreamer’ idea left a permanent impact on me both as an artist and as an outsider growing up in the 80s and 90s. When I was an adult I moved back to Canada and experienced my second culture shock leaving that world behind for a land and community I didn’t remember. I am still adjusting 20 years later.

A collection of works created over the last decade explores that journey through mysterious ‘visitors’ who rediscover what remains of futuristic abandoned Disney World Theme Parks and Canadian Landmarks long after humans have vanished. A journey similar to how I have been forced to discover the North as an adult now with my own family. For now, that new journey is taking me from Florida and across Canada from the East Coast to Ontario. In the future it will take me and my ‘visitors’ much farther.  This fantastical, dystopian vision will include a mix of Disney Theme Parks, Canadian landmarks and buildings and a new construction of a certain giant pink bear statue with deep roots in Toronto. 



For additional questions, interviews & details contact Todd Lawson here.