Totally Awesome ‘80s Show

June 3 to June 30, 2023

The visual arts of the 1980s were characterized by bold and vivid aesthetics. Artists like Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring brought graffiti and street art into the mainstream, while the Memphis Group introduced innovative and eclectic design concepts. The use of vibrant colours, geometric shapes, and futuristic elements defined the artistic style of the decade. These elements collectively form the quintessence of 1980s culture, representing a unique and influential period that continues to inspire and resonate with subsequent generations.
 
In 1980, SG’s permanent collection was formed and the subsequent decade saw a rapid expansion of the gallery’s holdings. The local print community initiated the fond by acquiring gifts from numerous Ontario artists associated with the gallery along with Open Studio, a prominent Toronto printmaking facility. The original intention was to create a commemorative print collection in memory of the late Nicholas Novak, a gifted artist who had been strongly associated with both institutions. This show intends to be more than a period piece— Totally Awesome ‘80s Show is a time capsule surveying the zeitgeist of a decade.