In honour of Pride Month, WeirFoulds LLP partnered with Partial to celebrate the artwork of Toronto’s 2SLGBTQIA+ community, with several stunning pieces on display in the law firm’s reception area throughout the month of June 2023. The exhibition featured original artwork by Emerald Repard-Denniston, Helio Eudoro, Brian Jiang, and Sara Shoghi, who are part of the OCAD U Showcase on Partial, and Emily King Simpson, a graduate from the University of Ottawa.
As part of the celebration, Toronto-based artists shared their stories as queer-identifying individuals in a “Weir Your Pride” panel talk, shedding light on their unique artist journeys with WeirFoulds’ lawyers and staff.
“Being invited to showcase my artwork at the Pride Showcase is an invaluable opportunity for me as a gay visual artist. It goes beyond just sharing my personal history with a diverse audience; it signifies the remarkable support extended by one of Canada’s most prominent law firms. This platform reinforces the significance of the law as our ultimate sanctuary for LGBTQIA2S+ rights, reminding us of the progress we’ve made and the continued advocacy we strive for. I’m honoured to contribute to this momentous event and grateful for WeirFoulds’ commitment to inclusivity.”
Helio Eudoro, artist
The panel event was moderated by Partial’s co-founder, Tammy Yiu Coyne and brought together featured artists Emerald Repard-Denniston, Helio Eudoro, Emily King Simpson, and Brian Jiang, who shared their unique and diverse stories as artists and members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. “I want to thank Tammy Yiu Coyne and everyone at Partial for partnering with us on this amazing Pride Month gallery. The artwork on display is nothing short of inspiring, and each unique piece serves as a vivid reminder of the diverse perspectives of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community,” says Elizabeth Charles, WeirFoulds’ Director of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. “I would also like to thank each of the artists who came to speak with us about their creative process and their craft.”
“Participating in this event and getting to talk about my experience as a queer artist was a wonderfully affirming experience. I hope that folks were able to connect with my process and gain a deeper understanding of how queer history can and does impact the community today.”
Emily King Simpson, artist
The art showcase continues at WeirFoulds LLP Toronto office through mid-July 2023, with the works available for rent and purchase through Partial.
Get to know the artists and their displayed works below:
Sara Shoghi
Sara Shoghi is a Toronto-based interdisciplinary artist specializing in painting, illustration, motion graphics, and design. She held a Master’s degree in Illustration; before studying Interdisciplinary Master in Art, Media and Design at OCAD University. Her primary focus is on Persian art, Persian Miniature and Cultural Elements for topics related to Women, the LGBTQ+ community, and social issues. Sara is interested in making awareness via creating artworks as she believes that awareness can change oppressive, repressive and segregative laws. Throughout her career as an artist, Sara has participated in several group exhibitions and biennials in Iran, Canada, Ukraine and England. She was the recipient of a Residency at Artscape Daniels Launchpad in 2022 and was selected to participate in TOAF in July 2022.
Love is Love (Qajar Girls), Mixed media, 10″ x 15″ (right).
Discover Sara Shoghi’s available artwork.
Brian Jiang
Brian Jiang (they/them) is a queer trans multi-disciplinary artist of Chinese-descent based in Tkaronto. Their practice consists of animation, illustration, painting, graphic design and beyond. Brian graduated from OCADU’s illustration program in 2020. As an artist collaborator working within the cultural sector, their arts-practice is informed by their love for the communities that they belong to. Brian’s work draws upon mythology, the natural world, and lived experiences to explore the ties between identity, diasporic migration, kinship, and ecological connections. They have been commissioned by Pride Toronto, Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival, Inside Out Film Festival, Xpace Cultural Centre, Maisonneauve Magazine, LinkedIn StreetARToronto and more.
The Gathering, Acrylic on Cradled Wood Panel, 24″ x 18″ (right).
Discover Brian Jiang’s available artwork.
Emerald Repard-Denniston
Emerald Repard-Denniston is a queer Chinese-Canadian contemporary artist. She is committed to anti-colonial, anti-capitalist politics and activist work. Based in Squamish, Tsleil-waututh and Musqueam/Vancouver, and Tkaronto/Toronto, her practice focuses on the diasporic-Canadian experience through drawing, painting and digital media. She is an emerging artist and acquired a Bachelor of Fine Arts in the Drawing and Painting Program from OCAD University with a Minor in Art and Social Change.
Discover Emerald Repard Denniston’s available artwork.
Helio Eudoro
Helio Eudoro is a multidisciplinary artist based in Toronto who holds a BFA (H ons) in Sculpture and Installation from OCAD University (2022). His work examines the intersection of identity, gender, sexuality, diaspora, and aging while exploring themes related to possessions, waste, and the cycle of mindless ownership. Through his art, he aims to create dialogues that challenge our understanding of body and identities, as well as material systems and their impact on our consumption and disposal habits. Eudoro has received several grants and awards, including the 2022 OCADU Carmen Lamanna Award and 2020 RBC Newcomer Arts Award. He has exhibited his work in galleries and museums across Canada and Brazil, including exhibitions at the Art Museum at the University of Toronto in 2023 and ArtworxTO in 2022. His art is part of collections such as the Museu de Arte Moderna da Bahia and the Museu de Arte Contemporânea do Parana in Brazil.
Rabbit Hole, Mixed media on print canvas, 39″ x 30″ (right).
Discover Helio Eudoro’s available work.
Emily King Simpson
Emily King Simpson is a multidisciplinary artist working primarily in oil painting and textile based sculptural work. She graduated from the Bachelor of Fine Arts program at the University of Ottawa in April 2021 where she was awarded the University of Ottawa Sculpture Prize, and is currently completing the Arts Administration and Cultural Management postgraduate certificate at Humber College.
Emily’s practice aims to explore queer femininity through personal experiences, as well as through queer histories and cultural productions, such as feminist theories and lesbian literature. She combines figurative and abstract modes of representation to create paintings that are in dialogue with these themes.
Discover Emily King Simpson’s available work.
Interested in an art showcase or artist event for your community group, organization, or company? Contact Tammy at tammy@partial.gallery and we look forward to collaborating on art activation ideas with you.