VISUAL ARTS
ARCHIVING EDEN: EXCHANGE is a vault-like installation of X-ray images of 5,000 seeds by artist Dornith Doherty. Coming to life during seed exchange events, this exhibit transforms as visitors remove an image from the vault’s walls and replace it with a transparent envelope containing a single Canadian seed. The final seeds will be donated to the Toronto Botanical Garden Seed Library, a collection of seeds that growers can borrow from and donate to. Museum of Contemporary Art (158 Sterling Rd., 416-530-2500). Until May 1, 2020.
BLOODSUCKERS: LEGENDS TO LEECHES At this immersive exhibit you will learn that there are over 30,000 species that feed on blood, from leeches and lampreys to birds and moths. They have influenced the medical field, pop culture and folklore, from the story of Dracula to the legend of the Chupacabra. Featuring live specimens, larger-than-life displays, installations, facts and interactive models. Royal Ontario Museum (100 Queen’s Park, 416-586-8000). Until March 22, 2020.
COLOUR ME BOLD is a group exhibit of acrylic art pieces portraying a variety of different art styles, textures, colours and shapes. Pieces evoke rich feelings and thoughts that are at the same time very much different from one another, but are all very much vibrant. Twist Gallery (1100 Queen St. W., 416-5882222). Until Dec. 13.
EARLY RUBENS: PETER PAUL RUBENS (1577–1640) is known as one of the most revered painters in Western art, largely recognized for his Baroque style. Art Gallery of Ontario (317 Dundas St. W., 416979-6648). Until Jan. 5, 2020.
EKOW NIMAKO: BUILDING BLACK: CIVILIZATIONS is an Afrofuturist exhibition focused on Africa’s powerful history and future, made of a series of sculptures built with more than 100,000 black LEGO® pieces by this contemporary Ghanaian-Canadian artist. Aga Khan Museum (77 Wynford Dr., North York, 416-646-4677). Until Feb. 23, 2020.
GRAYSON JAMES: AFTER ALEXANDRIA is a collaborative installation indexing the shared social experience of loneliness. Visitors are invited to recommend books that relate to moments of personal loneliness, with these recommendations being used to create a library in the gallery, available for all to read, write in or bring home. Ryerson Image Centre, Student Gallery (33 Gould St., 416-979-5164). Until Dec. 8.
INTERNATIONAL CERAMIC ART FAIR features works by Canadian and international artists. This year there is a focus on outstanding Canadian women-identified artists and the ways that they’re creating and innovating with clay. Available for purchase, new works will be on display. Preview gala tonight from 7-10 p.m. (tickets $250), giving exclusive first access. Gardiner Museum (111 Queen’s Park, 416586-8080). Friday-Sunday.
IN THE PIT: THE UNTOLD STORIES OF TORONTO’S DISHWASHERS Presented by FoodShare, this photography exhibit by Sandro Pehar focuses on food justice and equity for some of the lowest-wage workers in the restaurant industry. Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas St. E., 416-238-2453). Until Nov. 28.
KIM-LEE KHO: HEARTSPACE is a multimedia exhibit focusing on the emotional experience of having a human heart, the life and connections found inside, outside and between our heartspaces. An exploration of the human heart as a repository for emotions, metaphor and physical structure. Red Head Gallery (401 Richmond St. W., Suite #115, 416504-5654). Until Saturday.