RESHAPE: The Butterfly Effect

︎ That’s So Gay: Eleventeen - Curated by Syrus Marcus Ware
︎ Multimedia: Stop Animation & Paper Cuts
︎ Toronto, ON
︎ December 2020 - March 2021

“For 11 years, TSG has celebrated Queer and Trans artist magic through a 2 month in person exhibition with accompanying public programs and an opening event held at the Gladstone Hotel between June and August. TSG aims to showcase art by, for, and about LGBTTI2QQ creators, with a particular focus on artists on the margins of these communities — QTBIPOC artists, crip/disabled artists, Mad artists, migrant artists, youth artists and so forth. These artist projects interrupt the idea of a homogeneous queer community and re-imagines what it means to talk about our lived experiences as artists from a diversity of backgrounds.” - Syrus Marcus Ware

In 2016 PUFF Paddy was selected to be part of the TSG 7th: Come Together group show. At the time, Paddy had just emerged into the art scene. They were still trying to find their place in the world, being part of this show became a turning point in their career. It gave them more hope and new opportunities to show in exhibitions.

This year the exhibition has to move online to continue to showcase these important works made by Queer and Trans artists across Canada. Paddy was selected to come back as an alumni to celebrate TSG 11th: Eleventeen. To find out more information about exhibitions and view the stop animation created by PUFF Paddy, please check out: www.tsgexhibition.com

Participating Artists:

Christopher Rodrigues
Darryl Deangelo Terrell
Elizabeth Sweeney
Hannah Jickling & Helen Reed
Ifetayo Alabi
Jenna Reid
Kyisha Williams
PUFF Paddy
Raven Davis
Rojelio Palacios

Artist Statement

Like a butterfly, my art is always evolving towards greater creativity, self-expression, and vitality. When I cut paper, I feel like I am peeling back the layers to reveal a secret safe space - a place of change, hope, and life. I often dismantle my art and re-create new life for the pieces I make. Looking back and going through my archives of materials, I found a collection of coffee filters from a previous work that had been tie dyed with washable markers and airbrushed with stencils. Drawing inspiration from Chinese paper arts, I experimented with different ways to fold and cut out this magnificent, delicate creature that holds so much symbolic meaning. I believe strongly that art has the power to transform uncertainty into deeper creativity and innovation. This has always been the case in my life and I’ve dedicated my art practice to bringing more love and kindness in a world where that’s often lacking. I hope that my work will continue to engage people and bring more awareness and action to social justice and equality. Reshape: The Butterfly Effect - conveys a powerful message of strength and hope to all dreamers and believers. The fight is not over!

Generously Funded By

Paddy Leung is a multi-disciplinary artist, educator & activist based in Toronto, Ontario.

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