Artist Talk: J.E. Simpson x McNaughton

Join us in Art Gate VR for an artist talk between contemporary artists J.E. Simpson and Brendon McNaughton. Saturday Dec 7, 3-4pm EST. The talk will be taking place in the Simpson Gallery found in the main lobby of Art Gate. Q & A at the end. See you in the Metaverse!

J.E. Simpson:
In 2014 J.E. Simpson received his BFA in Sculpture & Installation at OCAD University, with a minor in Art History. While in school, he worked as a ward clerk at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto in the departments of Ophthalmology, NICU, Transplants and Neurology. Later on, as a volunteer subject for ophthalmic research, having his pupil dilated quite literally opened his eyes to a world of science. During this time, J.E.’s practice became greatly informed by scientific research and concepts. Upon graduating from OCAD U, he received the A. and M. Green Award from the Sculptors Society of Canada, of which he is a member. In his time at the university J.E. was greatly influenced by his thesis professors Ian Carr-Harris, Ginette Legaré and Nina Leo. His work has been featured twice for the Timeraiser event held at The Power Plant Gallery & he has had the honour of exhibiting at the Canadian Sculpture Centre. Currently, J.E. is living and working in Niagara, where he continues his Writing On Trees series: an in depth creative project informed by a wide array of literature and philosophy, as well as collaboration with artists, writers and filmmakers. His work is held in private collections in North America and abroad. https://cargocollective.com/JonathanEdwinSimpson

Brendon McNaughton:
McNaughton is a multidisciplinary contemporary artist. He received a B.F.A. with honours from York University and began exhibiting his work in 2010. Since then his sculptures have been presented in major exhibitions at Toronto’s Corkin Gallery, OCAD’s Onsite Gallery and the Palazzo Loredan in Venice, Italy. McNaughton’s work has attracted widespread attention, his pieces forming part of both private and public collections.

McNaughton explores how technology is transforming social and economic structures across the globe. To create his marble, bronze and aluminum works, he uses frontier technologies such as 3D printers, carving robots, virtual reality and artificial intelligence. McNaughton’s work marks a transitional moment in history away from the machine-like behaviour of people as conceived by Pop Art. His blending of art and technology aims to establish a cultural identity within the rapid technological evolutions in contemporary times.

“Bridging the gap between art, science and technology in daring, innovative ways, Brendon McNaughton is one of the up-and coming transnational and transdisciplinary exemplars of the third Millennium. He capitalizes on the value of artistic heritage from the ancient Greeks to the masters of the 20th and 21st centuries, while constantly experimenting in the latest mediums to express his own artistic vision.” -Dr. Francesca Valente www.mcnaughtonstudios.com