Dispatches from the desk of Art Forecast

What's new over here!

I’m not sure if it happened slowly or all at once, but I started to notice people complaining a lot about the art world. It was boring, corrupt, and prescriptive. People were buying too much and flipping! Collectors weren’t buying enough! Art criticism was dying, or maybe never existed at all.

I get it. I have complaints about the art world that I sometimes find myself slipping into. But I also think it’s a trap to complain about things that are in your control to change. So instead of saying “I think the art world is seriously lacking a sense of fun (or playfulness, or sexiness, or community…)” I like to be the change I’d like to see in the art world. I think a lot of art writing is too academic, so I write simply and add pop culture references. I think art events can be too serious, so I host events that feel more like a party.

Which leads me to dispatch number one:

1. Beers with Brian Rideout

Last night, Bronwyn Hunter Shortly and I hosted the second event in our ongoing series, which aims to bring more people into the art world by inviting them into spaces they might not usually have access to.

The event couldn’t have gone any better. We did exactly what we set out to do: introduce new people to the art world, have fun, and support artists. Everyone was so excited to be there and learn about Brian Rideout’s art practice. I am equally thrilled and exhausted!

This event was at capacity, but we will be holding more throughout the year (right now we’re focusing on Toronto, but would love to host something in another city soon!). Paid subscribers receive free access and have first dibs on events, which leads me to point TWO below.

2. Art Forecast is almost at 100 paid subscribers!

I don’t pay too much attention to metrics, so I was genuinely surprised and touched when I realized how many paid subscribers had signed up over the last year (thank you!). I then realized that once I reached 100 paid subscribers, Art Forecast would get verified on Substack and receive a little orange checkmark. I’m not going to lie, I would really like that checkmark!

It feels good to be appreciated and seen. When I was talking with people at the event last night, I realized that I’ve been able to sustain my energy working in the arts because I genuinely love and believe in the work I do. I think that this love comes across in my writing.

If you're considering becoming a paid subscriber, I would love it if you took the leap! This summer, I’m posting a paywalled weekly column focused on advice for artists that is relevant and actionable. As I noted above, paid subscribers get access to events. You can also claim the subscription on your taxes if you work in a related field. :)

3. Recent acquisition: Heart 3 (forever & ever) by Fran Williams

I’m always happy when I get the chance to add something new to our collection.

My most recent acquisition is an oil painting by Fran Williams, from the current exhibition Heartbreaks at Franz Kaka. This is the fourth artist from the gallery’s program that we have in our collection—it’s safe to say I trust the gallery founder and director’s taste! (I also work closely with the gallery on PR and ongoing projects.)

I was drawn to Fran’s heart paintings from the moment I first saw them online in an exhibition with Espace Maurice in Montreal. They’re even better in person: painterly with a surprising amount of tension for a painting that at first reads as clean and graphic.

I think that tension cuts to the core of what I like about Fran’s practice: how she captures the expressive and sometimes destructive force of desire. She paints the thin line between femininity and rage that is so prevalent in girlhood. This painting is all of those things for me.

The exhibition is on until June 28 in Toronto.