How to find Canadian art that speaks to you

A Toronto-based couple built a new home and knew they needed some special artwork to complement the carefully designed lines and thoughtful materials they’d chosen.

An architect and an interior designer by trade, they looked for pieces that spoke to their love of design to pair with the beauty of the sleek, modern space they’d created together.

Their search led them to Petroff Gallery, where the highly-trained team spent time showing them various options to get a sense of what they were drawn to—which eventually led them to a free-standing steel sculpture by Canadian artist Robert Buick.

Its dynamic shape, thrusting vertical lines and contemporary spirit made it perfect to display in the centre of their home, framed by a sleek glass staircase.

Anyone who walks through the doors of Petroff Gallery, a high-ceilinged, light-and-colour-filled space on Eglinton West, is greeted by the welcoming and engaging space, notes Jacalyn Strauss Zimmerman, director and owner of the gallery.

Petroff Gallery prides itself on making art accessible. Not only do they carry affordable art across a unique breadth of mediums—paintings, photography, ceramics, glass, sculptures, wood crafts and more—their goal is to make it as easy as possible for you to connect with the art. (Prefer to browse online? Anything that’s on sale in the gallery is on their easy-to-navigate website, and can be shipped internationally.)

In another project on which Zimmerman and her team worked, there was a desire to bring tranquility to a modern family room. An in-depth conversation led to a few different options. Then the team at Petroff Gallery used a digital placement tool to show the clients exactly what each piece would look like in the space.

A contemporary abstract diptych by Rachel Taggart added dreamy colour to the room, while the placement of two hand-blown Topography bowls in smoky topaz and whisky by The Goodman Studio on the mid-century coffee table drew on the existing neutral elements in the room.

“Artwork is so personal. That’s the first thing we talk to people about,” says Zimmerman. “It has to resonate with you. You have to have some sort of response to it, and that is really important to us.”

This makes Petroff Gallery just the place if you’re looking to find art that speaks to you—even if you’re still trying to figure out what that even means.

“Do you want colour? Is photography something that speaks to you?” asks Zimmerman, adding that because you’re surrounded by thousands of pieces in the gallery, it’s also a great way to expose your eye to a broad spectrum of different artists and art forms.

Petroff Gallery proudly represents a plethora of Canadian artists. “Since its inception, the philosophy of the gallery has been to represent, mentor and show Canadian artists as the amazing creators that they are,” says Zimmerman. “You really don’t need to look further than Canada to buy art because our artists are so talented and sophisticated.”

If you’re on the hunt for art that really speaks to you, you may find an instant connection to these homegrown pieces—and a warm glow knowing that your investment is supporting the local economy.

“Canadian art is relevant to us,” says Zimmerman, who points to the evocative charcoal works by West Coast–born, East Coast–based artist Natasha Miller. “People just respond to them. That’s what Canadian art provides to people. It feels like home.”

And having a painting that moves you like that in your home or office? “It’s just good for the soul,” concludes Zimmerman.