Global Display

Located in Toronto’s hip, gallery-laden West Queen West neighbourhood, Galerie Lausberg is a fount of minimalist art and installations for contemporary art lovers. Lausberg’s original gallery in Düsseldorf opened in 2003, expanded into Canada in 2006, and has since become internationally renowned in the art world.

Because of the hard work of gallery owner and director, Bernd Lausberg and his partner, Brian Torner, the gallery has become a major success. According to Torner, this is thanks in part to the Toronto International Art Fair (TIAF) and other art events that allow them to showcase artists to a wide, art-savvy audience.

Galerie Lausberg has had a strong presence at TIAF since the gallery opened. “At that time Galerie Lausberg was a participant in the Fresh Avant-Garde category. The response was overwhelming to the minimal art and optical art focus,” says Torner.

Currently in its 10^th year, the Toronto International Art Fair, which takes place Oct. 22 to 26, is an excellent forum to expose Canadian artists to the world, and global artists to Canada. This year TIAF has created a special flagship project called Heartland that will be curated by Jeffrey Spalding. Heartland will feature works from various galleries, artists, collectors and institutions and will juxtapose modern and historical art.

Galerie Lausberg has introduced several global artists to TIAF and there’s no doubt that it will be at the forefront of TIAF’s 2009 edition. “Our artists look forward to TIAF and expect us, as a commercial gallery, to have a strong, fresh presence with plenty of new works on display,” says Torner.

Galerie Lausberg has two special exhibits planned for TIAF, one featuring senior German artist, Kuno Gonschior. Bernd Lausberg played an active role in realizing a museum tour in Germany for Gonschior that begins in 2010. Lucky Torontonians will get a sneak peek when he comes to Lausberg. The other exhibit will showcase the accomplishments of Gonschior’s former student, Achim Zeman. The brightly coloured, modern works of both artists will be present at the gallery.

Shortly after Gonschior dazzles Toronto, Canadian artist, Stephen Cone Weeks will display his solo show in the Toronto Lausberg gallery for the first time. Cone Weeks currently lives in Germany and has shown his work three times in the Düsseldorf location. In the past, Cone Weeks has created dramatic movement with paint using subtle, muted colours. Torner is particularly excited about this installment saying, “Cone Weeks’ works are astounding, multi-layered, glass sculptural ‘paintings.’”

If you can’t wait for TIAF, visit the gallery from now until October 26th to see Harald Schmitz-Schmelzer’s multi-hued, striped, 3-D colour installation. •

For more information on Galerie Lausberg, visit galerie-lausberg.com.

Diskos by Harald Schmitz-Schmelzer