September 21 – December 1
Joyous Procession / The Infinite Serpent (2024) is a painting that portrays dancing mythological characters. It belongs to a new series titled Mosquito Net. Rajni describes these works as manifestations of dreams, highlighting the deep ancestral connections to a spiritual dimension. The aesthetic appeal of these works reflects the artist’s childhood experiences with materiality and craftsmanship, while also evoking a renewed interest in the traditional medicinal practices of Sri Lanka, including its various techniques, rituals, characters, and narratives.
Rajni Perera is an artist whose practice explores themes of hybridity, futurity, ancestral connections, and migrant and marginalized identities, as well as the realms of monsters and dreamscapes through the lens of science fiction. Rajni’s concepts intertwine across various artistic mediums, from traditional drawing and painting to clay sculpting, woodworking, lantern crafting, new media sculpture, textiles, and the innovative realm of synthetic taxidermy. She unveils the vitality inherent in the icons, beings, and objects she brings forth. Through a subversive approach, she dismantles outdated narratives of oppression, allowing these creations to serve as a healing and rejuvenating force.
Bio
Rajni Perera (she/her) was born in Sri Lanka in 1985 and lives and works in Toronto. She explores issues of hybridity, futurity, ancestorship, migrant and marginalized identities/cultures, monsters and dream worlds. These themes come together to fuel explorations within a multimedia practice that includes drawing and painting, clay, wood, lanterns, new media sculpture, textile, and most recently, synthetic taxidermy. Perera seeks to open and reveal the dynamism of the icons, beings, and objects she creates by means of a subversive aesthetic that counteracts antiquated, oppressive discourse, and acts as a restorative force. Perera’s work is in the collections of the Art Gallery of Ontario, the National Gallery of Canada, the Sobey Foundation, and the Musée De Beaux Arts De Montréal.
Location
- Accessibility
Collision Gallery
Accessible Entrance
The ramp for accessing Collision is found inside 30 Wellington St, past the revolving doors, on your right. Please note that the ramp is narrow.Wheelchair Accessible
Washrooms available on Concourse Level in PATH Network
Building is AODA-compliant
Parking: If you require parking, Commerce Court has parking available just off of Wellington Street with the entrance being west of Yonge Street.
- Getting There
Collision Gallery
If you’re accessing the gallery from King Street – you will find the entrance on the south east side of the courtyard, just beyond the fountain. Entrance is to the far left, beside Jump Restaurant.
If you’re accessing the gallery from Wellington Street – the building will be on the north side. Follow the signs to Jump Restaurant and enter through the rotating doors, heading up the stairs. The gallery will be on your left side, to the left of the restaurant.
By subway: Exit at King Station which is directly connected to Commerce Court. Follow the signs to Commerce Court South, then go up the stairs just to the right of Pantry. The gallery is on the courtyard level, up two staircases to the left.
By streetcar: Take the 504 King Street streetcar and get off at the Bay St stop, on the north side of the building. Walk south on Bay St and turn left onto Wellington St W, with the building on your left. Follow the signs to Jump Restaurant and enter through the doors, heading up the stairs. The gallery will be on your left side, to the left of the restaurant.
By car: Take the Bay Street exit off the Gardiner Expressway and head north towards Wellington Street. If you require parking, Commerce Court has parking available just off of Wellington Street with the entrance being west of Yonge Street.