Earthblog

19 January – 13 March 2010

The exhibition is entitled Portrait of a Patron as the 60 to 70 works it will comprise stem from the collection of one individual: Janusz Dukszta. Dr. Dukszta first commissioned a portrait of himself from Olaf von Brinkenhoff in 1953, and has repeated this exercise on a regular basis since that time.

Above Right: Phil Richards, Golden Pocket Portrait (65th Birthday), 1997, acrylic and gold leaf.  Above: Oliver Girling, Impostor, 1989, oil on canvas.

Preconceived notions of what constitutes an art collector will be left at the gallery door upon entering Portrait of a Patron: The Dukszta Collection.

The 70 portraits by 27 artists in this exhibition are a very personal record of Janusz Dukszta’s life, his friends and the family that surround him, and the ideas and passions that propel him. These portraits differ from staid or traditional portraits of record in every imaginable way, including their sardonic approach. Gordon Hatt, guest curator sets out to explore the degree to which Dukszta, “co-authored the artistic program that is his life” and how religious allegory and group portraits of family and friends played an important role in this story telling.

Portrait of a Patron reveals that contemporary portraiture continues to pose fascinating questions. In exploring the artist-patron relationship, it underscores the importance of the patron in shaping collections. In short, it will challenge the visitors’ notions of what a portrait may be.

Portrait of a Patron is supported by a benefactor group of close to 70 individuals and foundations. The exhibition catalogue is supported by The Scott Griffin Foundation and UTAC’s educational program, Art with Insight, by Peter Allen. Additional support has been provided by Manulife Financial, UTAC's Supporting Sponsor.

Participating Artists

Stephen Andrews, Terry Berkowitz, Bob Daignault, Cathy Daley, Patrick De Costa, Marc de Guerre, Andy Fabo, Tom Falus, Oliver Girling, Rae Johnson, Bryan McBurney, Dr. James I. MacDougall, Barbara Mercer, Michael Merrill, Charles Pachter,  Evan Penny,  Fabrizio Perozzi, Goran Petkovski, Vince Pietropaolo, Phil Richards, Max Streicher, Yves Tessier, Jim Vacola, Olaf von Brinckenhoff, Ewa Wilczynski, Tony Wilson and Paul Young.

Publication

Portrait of a Patron: The Dukszta Collection
Hatt, Gordon, 1957-
Essay contributors, Gordon Hatt, Matthew Brower, Oliver Girling: Introduction by Niamh O’Laoghaire, Foreword by Vincent M. Del Buono M.F.R.
Catalogue of an exhibition curated by Gordon Hatt held at the University of Toronto Art Centre, Jan. 19 – Mar. 13, 2010.
The University of Toronto Art Centre 2010
ISBN 978-0-7727-0659-1

Price: 25.00