Artists all over the world use art to tell their stories, speak their truths and ultimately help others dig deep within themselves.
And Toronto creatives are no exception, this includes artist and designer Bryan Espiritu who has made a name for himself in the creative landscape.
Espiritu recently opened up his first fine art exhibition in over a decade and Now Toronto had the opportunity to check it out.
The show is titled “Passage” and is on now until December 21 at the Cultural Goods Gallery.
The space, co-founded by Kim and Joe Mimran, was happy to welcome Espiritu’s life work as it marks their first-ever solo exhibition at the gallery.
Although there are big shoes to fill, it doesn’t hurt that Espiritu is best known for having one of the most successful art show openings in Canadian history back in 2011 for the exhibit Because The Kids Don’t Play.
He sold 38 pieces of art that opening night alone which would lead him to collaborating with big names like Drake.
Espiritu is also the designer behind the street wear line Legends League and even won a Juno in 2015 for being an executive producer with Naturally Born Strangers.
“It’s been a lifelong experience. The way that I’ve been able to metabolize the things that I’ve gone through in my life and utilize that as inspiration to create,” Espiritu said.
“This journey has really been one of expression and realization that it can then be an echo for others to hopefully understand themselves,” he continued.
Espiritu’s art is a mixture of spoken word and abstract art, drawing inspiration from his childhood and lessons learned throughout his adult life.
“Our memories don’t always serve us exactly right and we choose to remember certain aspects of our lives and our childhoods,” he said.
Espiritu notes that he did his best to share not only the trauma base aspects of life but the moments rooted in happiness too.
“It’s those themes that I try to explore in this. It’s the space between a childhood filled with trauma and an adult mind that’s capable of rationalizing those experiences.”
