Patrons fight over signed Warhol painting at Figuration exhibit opening at Berenson gallery
Patrons fight over signed Warhol painting at Figuration exhibit opening at Berenson gallery
Friendly punches flew between the Ontario Health Ministry’s communications project manager Loretto Breen and art patron Clive Desouza on Thursday night. What began as a stuffy opening at Berenson gallery for the exhibit Figuration, with guests shuffling from painting to painting, turned into a mock fight over a signed Andy Warhol painting of Mick Jagger. The house bartender inspired the guests to fuel up on free-flowing champagne, shouting “Ciao, bella!” to everyone who entered the gallery, and attending artist Marco Sassone was heard enthusiastically describing each piece to those eager to listen (there were some party crashers, so not everyone could be categorized as such). A FedEx snafu prevented work by Ray Turner from making it to the opening, but Sassone’s portrait of Sidney Poitier and painting “Yellow Cab” (not on display for this exhibit, but certainly coveted, buzzed about and in the back of the gallery), Warhol’s Jagger and Marco Russo-Young’s photography were enough to keep the interest of everyone in attendance.
Check out the opening of “Figuration” at the Berenson gallery »
Director of the Berenson gallery Emilia Ianeva opened the show by ringing a bell made by Bruce Hasson—it’s a sculpture that’s part of the exhibit, and one of only five in the world (Mikhail Gorbachev owns one, too). After Ianeva offered little tidbits of information about each artist involved, guests like artists Frank Stella and Michael Awad, ResQ president Chad Hughes and hair stylist Jie Matar chatted, and Sassone kept up the energy, talking about his work and remarking that he’s gotten a lot of support from Toronto’s Italian community. At the end of the day, it was an art opening with a fight, and that beats listening to someone talk about brushstrokes for 45 minutes.
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- (Image: Erin Simkin)
- Berenson gallery debuts its Figuration exhibit
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- American painter Frank Stella (Image: Erin Simkin)
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- Maghariki: “I’ll take that one” (Image: Erin Simkin)
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- Director of Berenson gallery Emilia Ianeva rings a Bruce Hasson bell (one of five in the world) (Image: Erin Simkin)
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- Import Temptations interior designer Rudy Maghariki and guest Aymen Ezzine (Image: Erin Simkin)<br /> <br />
- Berenson gallery debuts its Figuration exhibit
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- Art patrons Julie Kang and Ali Kalaz (Image: Erin Simkin)
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- REIT associate vice-president Emily Hanna, Valens Partners partner Roger Pemberton, and Blake, Cassels and Graydon partner Thomas von Hahn (Image: Erin Simkin)<br />
- Berenson gallery debuts its Figuration exhibit
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- Art patrons Ali Kalaz and Jie Benedict (Image: Erin Simkin)<br /> <br />
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- Duet PR’s Jennifer Love and Alyssa Fraser with bridal boutique owner and wedding gown designer Lea Ann Belter (Image: Erin Simkin)
- Berenson gallery debuts its Figuration exhibit
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- Real estate agent Mirella Cesario with Sassone (Image: Erin Simkin)
- Berenson gallery debuts its Figuration exhibit
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- Jie Matar (Image: Erin Simkin)
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- Hair stylist Jie Matar (and his glasses) and Emilia Ianeva (Image: Erin Simkin)
- Berenson gallery debuts its Figuration exhibit
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- Forensic engineer Barry Raftery and Seven Element Design Group owner Maria Barisova (Image: Erin Simkin)
- Berenson gallery debuts its Figuration exhibit
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- A patron of the arts brushes up on his reading (it’s a book about art) (Image: Erin Simkin)
- Berenson gallery debuts its Figuration exhibit
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- Artist Michael Awad (Image: Erin Simkin)
- Berenson gallery debuts its Figuration exhibit
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- Breen and PR professional Daniela Gentile listen to artist Marco Sassone (Image: Erin Simkin)
- Berenson gallery debuts its Figuration exhibit
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- Desouza is peeled away from the Warhol by security officer Molly Marshman (Image: Erin Simkin)
- Berenson gallery debuts its Figuration exhibit
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- Art battle: the Ontario Health Ministry’s communications project manager Loretto Breen dukes it out with art patron Clive Desouza (Image: Erin Simkin)
- Berenson gallery debuts its Figuration exhibit
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Truly excellent. Mr. Sassone’s work is brilliant but even if it is not to your taste, the Director Emilia seems to have many connections in the art world so I don’t doubt she can find what you’re looking for.