Akin Ossington Studio member Kyle Yip has a solo show called Vexillum opening Thursday March 21 2019. It’s always a pleasure to have one of our members work on display at Black Cat - Showroom since both Black Cat and Akin St. Clair at very new to the neighbourhood at St. Clair and Weston Road.

Black Cat - Showroom

1785 St Clair Ave W,

Toronto, ON M6N 1J6

Vexillum explores the relationship between eastern versus western aesthetic values. Multicoloured, puzzling paintings are composed of positive and negative spaces derived from various exotic styles throughout art history, including advertising, anime, and Memphis Design. These components are remixed and recomposed to represent multicultural identity and sexual boundaries.

Similar to international flags, these paintings are also used for advertising, decorative, or symbolic purposes. Flags are patriotic symbols with widely varied interpretations, often associated with military connotations because of their ongoing original premise. They have evolved into a concise communication tool for identification in environments where language barriers are particularly challenging.

The word vexillum is derivative of the Latin word, velum, meaning "a sail, curtain, or veil,” vexilla literally translating to "little sails."

Opening Reception: March 21st - 7pm - 10:30pm

Exhibition runs from March 21st - March 29th 2019

Gallery Hours: Wednesday - Sunday, 12 - 5pm

Monday - Tuesday: Closed

Kyle Yip:

Kyle Yip is a sample-based, multi-disciplinary fine artist from Toronto. He is known not only for his international and national exhibitions in New York and Vancouver.

Also known as Discrete, Kyle Yip is a Toronto based DJ, producer and label owner of Savvy Records. He is known not only for his Juno Award Nominated full-length album, but also his remixes for international artists such as Brabe, Society of Silence and many more.

An affinity for the commingling and contrasting sounds and playful experimentation inspired the birth of Savvy Records, a platform he created to fill a distinct niche for the music he loves. Since the labels conception in 2010, it has released singles and albums from such notable artists as Bram Faber, Der Amethyst, Donk Boys, Frankie, Paradroid, Phil Denton, René van Munster, S.O.S., Thomas Gwosdz, Thore Pfieffer, Xavier León, as well as his own productions. His label also hosts the Savvy Records Podcast, an excellent resource for discovering new and dynamic music for newcomers and the more seasoned electronica listeners alike.

Following a strong library of solo releases, 'The Midas Touch' is Kyle's first full-length solo album. Kyle Intertwined his love for jazz, disco and soul with a deep-house and techno tinged sensibility. This medley of inspirations were crucial to constructing a sound that is not only exuberant and enigmatic, but also nostalgic and thoughtful. This rare fusion has garnered Kyle a nomination for 'Best Electronic Album of the Year' at the 2016 Canadian Juno Awards in Calgary.

While Kyle is an active presence in Toronto's nightlife, often throwing parties for his Savvy Records label, he is equally involved with an international community of producers and musicians. His accolades from distinguished artists such as DJ Sneak, Mark E, Mousse T and Pezzner can attest to this as well as his releases on labels such as Defected Records and Get Physical Music.

While eagerly awaiting a handful of upcoming releases for Savvy Records on the horizon — including a remix EP for 'Always No' from 'The Midas Touch' — he is also perfecting his next Discrete album, the sophomore follow up to 'The Midas Touch' LP. Amidst the sound and the fury, Kyle maintains a strong vision, with sights fixed upon a sound that can breathe beauty, communion and transcendence into us all