Xenia Benivolski

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Xenia Benivolski
Xenia Benivolski 2019.jpg
NationalityCanadian
Alma materUniversity of Toronto
Occupation
  • Art curator
  • writer
Years active2003-present

Xenia Benivolski is a Russian-Tatar curator of contemporary art based in Toronto, Ontario. She founded several collectives and art galleries including The White House gallery,[1] 8-11 gallery,[2] The Feminist Art Museum,[3] and SUGAR. Benivolski has given public lectures at The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery[4] and the Museum of Contemporary Art Toronto.[5]

Curatorial Projects[]

In 2008, Benivolski co-founded The White House Studio Project along with Christy Kunitzky and Jon McCurley (of Life of a Craphead).[1] The idea behind The White House was to rent a residential space and turn it into artist studios.[6][7] It was described as a reaction to Toronto's conservative climate and clawbacks in arts funding.[8] The space was considered one of the best places to see and make art in Toronto, a 2,600 sq. ft. community centre and active exhibition space with a wood shop, zine library and screen printing facilities.[9] The White House was recognized as a valuable space for culture in Toronto by Making Space for Culture, a project led by the City of Toronto.[10]

In 2014, Benivolski co-founded 8-11, an art collective and gallery in Toronto's Chinatown.[2][11] The gallery's original sign, a spoof on 7-Eleven's logo, drew controversy and a cease and desist order after L.A-based DJ Skrillex posted a photo of the gallery on Instagram.[2]

In 2016, Benivolski co-founded The Feminist Art Museum with Su-Ying Lee.[12] The goal of the project was to bridge feminist art institutions in North America, and included exhibitions, talks, workshops, and performances.[3] In 2017, The Feminist Art Museum completed a residency at the Santa Fe Art Institute.[13] In 2017, Benivolski was one of four international curators at the 7th Beijing International Art Biennale.[14][15] In 2020, Benivolski curated the first solo exhibition in Canada of work by Latvian-born, Montreal-based artist Zanis Waldheims (1909–93).[16]

Benivolski co-founded SUGAR Contemporary in 2019, a contemporary art gallery near Sugar Beach in Toronto.[17] SUGAR was voted best new art space in Toronto in 2019.[18]

In 2011 Benivolski organized a donation drive to support the community of Attawapiskat in Northern Ontario after the community declared a state of emergency. Donations of winter clothing, medicine and heaters were driven by truck to Timmins then flown to the remote community.[19]

References[]

  1. ^ a b Titanic, Sara (2010-01-01). "The White House". NOW Magazine. Retrieved 2021-03-11.
  2. ^ a b c "8-11 art collective: No Slurpees sold here". thestar.com. 2 March 2015.
  3. ^ a b "Feminist Art Museum". Temporary Art Review. 2017-11-22. Retrieved 2021-03-11.
  4. ^ "The Power Plant - Sunday Scene – Programs & Events – The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery – Harbourfront Centre". www.thepowerplant.org. Retrieved 2021-03-11.
  5. ^ "The Innovators Panel". Museum of Contemporary Art Toronto Canada. Retrieved 2021-03-11.
  6. ^ Titanic, Sara (2010-01-01). "The White House". NOW Magazine. Retrieved 2021-03-18.
  7. ^ ArtStars* 2 - The White House, retrieved 2021-03-18
  8. ^ Prickett, Sarah Nicole (2012). "The Collective Bargaining of Creative Success". Toronto Standard. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
  9. ^ "The top 7 artist collectives in Toronto". www.blogto.com. Retrieved 2021-03-18.
  10. ^ City of Toronto. "Making Space for Culture" (PDF). toronto.ca. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  11. ^ "6 New Toronto Art Spaces to Watch". canadianart.ca. Retrieved 2021-03-29.
  12. ^ "Quick Fire: 5 Questions with Feminist Art Museum". Gardiner Museum. 2017-08-16. Retrieved 2021-03-21.
  13. ^ "Feminist Art Museum". Santa Fe Art Institute. Retrieved 2021-03-21.
  14. ^ The Organizing Committee of Beijing International Art Biennale (2016). "Regulations of the 7th Beijing International Art Biennale, China 2017" (PDF). www.aiap-iaa.org. Retrieved March 25, 2021.
  15. ^ "the 7th Beijing International Art Biennale：The Silk Road and World Civilizations". e.cflac.org.cn. Retrieved 2021-03-25.
  16. ^ "Zanis Waldheims – Canadian Art". canadianart.ca. Retrieved 2021-03-28.
  17. ^ Polina, Lasenko (2019). "Pickle Politics: Review" (PDF). www.sfu.ca. Retrieved March 25, 2021.
  18. ^ Heather, Rosemary (2019-12-10). "The best of Toronto's art scene 2019". NOW Magazine. Retrieved 2021-03-11.
  19. ^ "Communities Responding To Attawapiskat". Retrieved 2021-03-11.
Retrieved from ""