On the Walls: The Week in Cult/ure

“Miss America,” by Kent Monkman

Lovers of boxed wine, cheese cubes and individual florets of broccoli on catering trays, rejoice! This week is packed with vernissages, as a number of galleries have events ushering in new shows for month’s end.

M Galerie is holding a vernissage for “Les Plumes du PHOENIX,” a group show of paintings by six Lebanese women, on Wednesday, Aug. 22. The event is timed to coincide with another collective exhibit launch at a gallery in Beirut. M Galerie (3 de la Commune E.), 6 p.m.

All week, you can head to NDG to catch part of the NDG Arts Week, but on Saturday the festival is hosting a “Finissage,” a party to close “Inside Out,” the exhibit of paintings and photographs by (literal) street artist Roadsworth on display at the gallery this summer. Maison de la Culture NDG (3755 Botrel), 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The next day, Saturday, NDG Arts Week hosts their annual art walk and live painting exhibit, with local artists creating new works along Sherbrooke. The festival encourages attendees to also make their mark, with art supplies donated by Omar de Serres. There’s also a kid’s version, with crafty activities and the chance to make “Bristlebots,” little robot scultptures. There is also a walking tour of local galleries on offer, presentations, and more. Coop de la Maison Verte (5785 Sherbrooke W.), 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Later in the day, there’s an opening party and chance to meet the artist for a solo show by queer 2-spirit First Nations art star Kent Monkman, who is presenting a new collection of his work at Pierre-François Ouellette ArtContemporain. Entitled “Miss America,” the exhibit recalls Paul Kane-style colonial art, but integrates surreal and pop-cultural elements and subversive sexual content, including a regularly featuring character, “Miss Chief Eagle Testickle,” the artist in drag. PFOAC, (372 Ste-Catherine W. – Belgo Building), #216, 2:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Last Chance
And, since all things must come to a close, some exhibits are also coming down this week. Two worthwhile shows in the Belgo are ending on Saturday, Aug. 25, making this your last week to see ‘em. “Who’s Paying You?” is a group exhibit featuring sybaritic art in the theme of wealth and indulgence, including pieces by Damien Hirst, Patrick Bernatchez and Eric Simon. Galerie Donald Browne (372 Ste-Catherine W.), #528. Just down the hall, “Artisans Modernes,” is a showcase of traditional craftwork pieces by Pascale Galipeau, Noah Lima and Claude Prairie. Nicolas Robert, (372 Ste-Catherine W., #524).

It’s also your last chance to check out and maybe even snag some campy wall art as “Forbidden Visions,” a collection of fantasy, horror and exploitation cinema posters from the Cinepix/John Dunning archives is in its last week. Presented as part of Fantasia, the show’s up until Aug. 26. BBAM! Gallery, 3255 St-Jacques. ■