Natalie Wood
Born and raised in Trinidad, Natalie Wood arrived in Toronto in 1984 to study psychology, sociology and women's studies at the University of Toronto before obtaining her studio training at Ontario College of Art. Wood then went on to complete an MA in Art Education from OISE, at the University of Toronto, in 2000.
We first encountered Natalie’s work on Queen St West in 2001, in a series of grass roots group and solo exhibitions at Zsa Zsa, a small artist-run gallery a block away from us, with Thin Lizzie (2001), The Michael Jackson Project (2003), Relay (2003, a solo exhibition), and Pot Modern (2005), all curated by artist Andrew Harwood. Shortly after, her work was curated by, amongst others, Michelle Jacques, Nuit Blanche (2007), Scott McLeod, Prefix Institute (2007), Pamela Edmonds and Carla Garnet, Streaming AlterityArt Gallery of Peterborough (2012) and Geneviève Wallen, OCADU (2015). Wood's video works have been screened at festivals including, the New York Mix Film and Video Festival, Inside Out, Images Festival, Pleasure Dome and the Mpenzi Film and Video festival where she won the Audience Choice Award in 2006. Recent exhibitions include the Aird Gallery (2020) in conjunction with the CONTACT Photography Festival (2020) and Charles St Video (2020). Wood's work will be featured in a solo exhibition at A Space in 2022.
Wood's work cohabits the areas of popular culture, education and historical research, spanning the visual and media arts. The practice includes painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, video and performance, and extends into Wood's work as a curator, educator and community-based queer activist.
Wood is currently a tenured Professor in the Social Service Work Program at George Brown College where she co-founded and coordinated their Social Innovation Hub, an early stage incubator. She is also pursuing a PhD through the Faculty of Environmental Studies program at York University. Exordium is Wood's first exhibition at Paul Petro Contemporary Art.
EDUCATION
PhD York University, Faculty of Environmental Studies, in progress
M.A. Art Education in the Curriculum Teaching and Learning Department, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at University of Toronto, 2000
Printmaking, Portrait Painting & Life Studies, Ontario College of Art, Toronto, 1993
B.A. Specialist Degree, Psychology, Sociology, Women’s Studies, University of Toronto, 1988
SOLO SHOWS
2022
Paul Petro Contemporary Art, Tidal Relations
ASpace Gallery, They Say We Can't Breathe Underwater
2021
Paul Petro Contemporary Art, Exordium
2020
Aird Gallery & Charles St Video, and Contact Photo Festival; Performing Change curated by C. Garnet
2012
WARC Gallery, The Line is Drawn
2009
ASpace Gallery Member Windows, Are you Cut Out for My Revolution?
2007
Toronto Nuit Blanche, Church of the Holy Trinity, Moko Jumbie Dance Installation, curated by M. Jacques
2006
CCA7 Gallery, Trinidad, The Serious, the Funny and the Make Do, Exhibit and Artist Talk,
2004
Pages Window Installation, MayWorks, The Exchange
Theatre Muraille Backspace Rock, Paper, Sistahs, The Dozens Solo Exhibit and performance
2003
Zsa Zsa Gallery, Relay Solo Show
Spadina Museum, Paintings and Rousing Movements Solo Show and one month Artist Residency
DubWise Gallery, Doux Tell: Experiences of a Black Grrl Connecting
GROUP SHOWS (Selected)
2023
Editions Part Two, Paul Petro Contemporary Art, Toronto
2022
What is Left, Paul Petro Contemporary Art, Toronto
2019
Fredericton Film Collective, New Brunswick, Screening of Time will Come video curated by Sabine LeBel
2018
Big on Bloor Festival – for Jouez curated by Carla Garnet and in collaboration with Nila Gupta
In Your Pocket, RT Collective @ Buddies in Bad Times Theatre
Time after Time, Art Gallery of Ontario First Thursdays Art Lecture and video presentation on Blue Devils https://ago.ca/events/february-first thursday-shake-it
2017
Paper House Studio Residency and exhibit
Aird Gallery, Queer Landscapes, Queer Intersections
2016
Gladstone Hotel, That’s So Gay, video installation curated by Syrus Ware
Humber Art Gallery, Occupy Space, curated by Farah Yusuf
2015
OCADU Art Gallery, Banagrams video performance and installation
2014
Open House, Banagrams video performance
Nuit Rose, Theatre Centre, Bananagrams, Video performance
2013
Open House, Sandra Brewster’s Open House
Church St Mural Project, Kiss and Tell, 66 Wellesley St E.
Trinity Square Video, Bananagrams, Video performance
Poster Virus, Aids Action Now Poster project
2012
Streaming Alterity, Gallery of Peterborough, curated by Pamela Edmonds & Carla Garnet
2011
Wrestling with the Image: Caribbean Interventions, Art Museum of the Americas, Washington, D.C. curated by Christopher Cozier and Tatiana Flores. Jan – July 2011
About Change, World Bank, Washington, D. C.
2010
Kinlinks, Artist Project Toronto, Video Art Box curated by Rui Pimenta. www.kinlinks.net
2009
Women in Work Exhibit, National Traveling Show curated by Workers Art Heritage Centre co-ordinated by Carole Conde
2008
Movement 08; Contemporary art happening, Flow, The Production House, curated by Stephen Fakiyesi
Women in Work Exhibit, Traveling show curated by Workers Art Heritage Centre/ Carole Conde
The Small Axe Project – a Caribbean platform for criticism, curated by Chris Cozier and Columbia University, New York seen at www.smallaxe.net
2007
Art House Affair, curated by Stephen Fakiyesi
Sales Performance, Prefix Institute of Contemporary Art, curated by Scott McLeod.
Women in Work Exhibit, Traveling show curated by Workers Art Heritage Centre co-ordinated by Carole Conde
2006
TAAFI, Invited Artist, Gladstone Hotel.
ARCFEST, Spin Gallery, “Art is Resistance” curated by Syrus Ware
Gladstone Hotel, Jingle Show curated by Andrew Harwood
519 Community Gallery, Artefact Exhibit
2005
Art Gallery of Ontario, Hoarding Project Public Exhibit in Grange Park
Zsa Zsa Gallery, Pot Modern Group Show
Vtape Digital Web Project, in conjunction with Images Festival, http://www.kinlinks.net
Burlington Art Centre & other venues, Human Rights through Art Exhibit
2004
Cedar Ridge Studio Gallery, Artitude from here to there, Artsweek Group show
Fab Magazine, The State of Gay, curated by Andrew Harwood
2003
Zsa Zsa Gallery, The Michael Jackson Project Group Show, Curator Andrew Harwood
Spin Gallery, Dykeversity Group Show
Kathleen Gormley McKay Art Centre, Open Juried Group Exhibition, Unionville, Ontario
Human Rights Through Art Exhibit, City Hall and other Toronto venues
ASpace Gallery, Members Show
2002
Harbourfront Community Gallery, Group Exhibit, Sacred Spaces
Hart House Gallery, University of Toronto, Letters for Literacy Art Auction
Spadina Historic House and Gardens, Through my eyes, through my spirit
Rock Paper Sistahs Theatrical Exhibit, After All by Carol Anderson
2001
John B. Aird Gallery, Ontario Society of Artists Juried Show titled, HOME
Zsa Zsa Gallery, Toronto, Thin Lizzie Group Show curator Andrew Harwood
VIDEO SCREENINGS
2018
Time will Come screened at Buddies in Bad Times, curatorial show In Your Pocket: Time after Time
2015
Touched by a Soucouyant screened at Inside Out, curatorial show In Your Pocket: After Midnight
2014
Call Me Daisy screened at Caribbean Tales film festival, Toronto
The Line is Drawn screened for Confluence on Pattison One Stop TTC Media Screens in Toronto, Pattison Onestop billboards in Toronto and Pattison Onestop Shopping Malls across Canada
2011
Call me Daisy screened at Trinidad &Tobago Film Festival, New Media Arts Program curated by Arc Magazine
Will screened at Toronto School of Art for the (Proud) City: Propositions for Future LGBTTIQQ2S Activism in Toronto Exhibit curated by Syrus Marcus Ware
2010
Medusa’s hats The Mid-Life/Shelf Life screenings, in conjunction with Vtape and Buddies in Bad Times Theatre
The Bond Girl screened at Reel Out in Kingston
2008
The Bond Girl & Daisy gets a Divorce screened at Explicit Fantastic Sex(y) in Contemporary Culture, Keep Six Contemporary curated by Richard Vaughan
2007
Call me Daisy screened at Mpenzi Film Festival, Inside Out Film/Video Festival Toronto
2006
Call me Daisy, Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, Pride Media and Performance Festival
The Locks Narrative winner of Audience Choice Award at Toronto Mpenzi Film & Video festival,
2005
The Dozens screened at Pleasure Dome Festival, San Francisco Lesbian & Gay film festival,
The Dozens screened at Inside Out Film & Video Festival
2003
Enter Hailey screened at Hot Seat Film and Video festival, Toronto
2002
Enter Hailey screened in New York for Mix Film and Video Festival
Enter Hailey screened for Inside Out International Film and Video Festival, Admiration
ACHIEVEMENTS AND AWARDS
2020
Explore and Create Program, Canada Council for the Arts
2019-2022
WildSeed Arts Fellow
2019
Access and Career Development Grant, Ontario Arts Council
2012
Ontario Arts Council Exhibition Assistance
2011
Access Grant, Ontario Arts Council
2007
Established Media Artist Grant, Toronto Arts Council
2006
New Pioneers Award for contribution to Arts and Culture
K.M. Hunter Nomination for Interdisciplinary Arts
Ontario Arts Council Mid Career Media Arts Award
Audience Choice Award, Mpenzi Toronto Film and Video Festival
2005
Trinidad Artist Residency, Canada Council for the Arts
2004
Emerging Artist for Visual Arts, Ontario Arts Council
2003
Emerging Artist for Visual Arts, Canada Council for the Arts
Emerging Artist for Visual Arts, Toronto Arts Council
M. NourbeSe Philip Award for d02
1997
City of York Civic Recognition Award for work within the Arts
Collections
Royal Bank of Canada
The Wedge Collection
COMMUNITY ARTS TEACHING/CONSULTING EXPERIENCE (Selected)
2021
TakingitGlobal social innovation;
2018
Blue Devil Community Arts Project for York University Pride Float
2017
Blue Devil Performance at Blockorama Pride,
2015
Blue Devil Performance @ Caribana
2011
Caribana Blue Devil Performance at Harbourfront Centre
Artist Consultant, Homelessness – Solutions from Lived Experiences through Arts-informed Research; Collaborative Arts Exhibit based on 8 community based and or arts informed research projects
Coming Together: Art based research project with U of T faculty of Social Work, Regent Park Community Health Centre, Sistering & Native Women’s Resource Centre working with homeless and marginally housed women and transwomen to develop an artistic process that would document how they support each other
2006 - 2011
Artist Consultant, Canadian Experience Project; Arts-based research project with Faculty of Social Work University of Toronto
2007
Art Gallery of Ontario – Black History Month art workshop (upcoming)
2006
Blue Devil Live Theatre Performance cultural animator at Buddies In Bad times theatre
2005
Art Gallery of Ontario Hoarding project with youth at Cecil Community Centre. Neighbourhood historical research, youth introduced to stories of their neighbourhood, created linocuts that were made into one final digital piece
2004
Adults’ Artist, Program Without Walls, George Syme Community Centre, Art Starts Neighbourhood Centre
Talisman Workshop, with ASpace Gallery and Social Work Department, University of Toronto
2003
Linocut Poster Workshop Queer Youth Project, Buddies in Bad Times
Children’s Artist, Art Starts Neighborhood Centre, Program without Walls
2002
Talisman Workshop, Harbourfront Community Centre
Printmaking Workshop, Linden School
2001
Children’s Artist, Program Without Walls, Art Starts Neighbourhood Art Centre
Visiting Artist, Printmaking and Survivor Art Workshop, Art City Art Centre
2000
Artist Facilitator, Workshop on “Nkisi” or Power figures, Black Coalition for Aids Prevention
Artist Facilitator, Homes not Shelters Art Installation, for Community Arts Biennale
1993-1999
Coordinator & Artist Instructor, York Community Services Art Group for Adults with disabilities
PUBLISHING AND SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
2021
Shine On: All We Have is Each Other: A Conversation About Art Making and Community Building, U of T
Art and Blackness, Black Women United
2019
Recipes for change, Nelson Mandela Lectures Ryerson University for Social Justice Week
2018
Art Gallery of Ontario, First Thursdays artist talk and video presentation on Blue Devil Posse
2016
Artist Talk @ Gladstone Hotel for That’s So Gay Exhibit
2014
State of Blackness Artist lecture and talk at OcadU
2012
The Line is Drawn Artist Lecture and Talk at WARC Gallery
2010
Panel Discussion, The Mid-Life/Shelf Life screenings at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre
Victorian photocollages: Paper, Scissors, Mock, interviewed for Globe and Mail article by R. Vaughan, August 2010
2008 Panel Discussion, Explicit Fantastic sex(y) in contemporary culture, Keep Six Contemporary 2007 Artist Lecture and Talk, OCAD 2006 - 2007
Interview CIUT – Production House Art Affair
Conference Presentation – Art, Activism and Transnationalism, U of T
2007
Artist Lecture and Talk, OCAD
Interview CIUT – Production House Art Affair
Conference Presentation – Art, Activism and Transnationalism, U of T
2006
Artist Lecture and Talk, OCAD
Artist Lecture and Talk, Empowerment through the Arts, George Brown College
Representin’: Black Artists Tell the Truth by Rinaldo Walcott p.33 Fuse Magazine Volume 29 Number 2
Artist Lecture and Talk, Creative Art Centre, University of the West Indies, Trinidad
Toronto Star, Using her unique art to educate, March 24,2006, p.E4 by Nicholas Keung
Trinidad Woman Express, Looking for answers in art, March 5, 2006 p.6 by Erline Andrews
Curator’s Talk, ASpace Gallery for “I Represent”
2005
National Post, Toronto Magazine The Big Picture, about Kinlinks Website June 18 2005, p.TO9 by R M Vaughan
Share, Artist collective show their work, exchange ideas, April 21 2005, p. 17 by F. Greene
Toronto Star, Everything new is becoming old, March 11 2005, p. D2, by Peter Goddard
Toronto Sun, Artists look at History Feb 1st 2005, p. 14, by L. Wade
The National Post, Not a Cape in sight p. 10, by R.M. Vaughn & Xtra, Getting a Rise; the push me/pull you of community. p. 27, Feb 3rd 2005 by, A. Harwood
2004
Guest on Panel discussing Future of Queer film and video with Roy Mitchell, Alison Mitchell, CKLN
CIUT Interview for Mayworks Exhibit, The Exchange
2003
Spadina Museum, Resident Artist Lecture
Artist Lecture and Panel Discussion, Ryerson University, Queer Bent Unchanged Conference
2002
The Annex Gleaner, Black Women Artists Infiltrate Spadina House, March 2002, Vol. 7, No. 11, p.10
Artist talk, ASpace Gallery
Cover Illustration, Disability Rights in the workplace, CUPE
2001
Artist Talk, ASpace Gallery
Article on David Zapporoli, ASpace Newsletter
Illustrator, Fireweed magazine, Women at the Millennium issue #71
2000
Now magazine, Island Heat fires exhibits, Aug 3-9 2000, pg.76 by Deidre Hannah
Thesis: Empowerment, Quality of life and Art with Adults with Disabilities; A Descriptive Analysis of An Holistic Arts Approach
CURATORIAL EXPERIENCE (Selected)
Curator, Shadow on the Prairie, media show by Deanna Bowen, Images Festival & WARC Gallery, March 2009
Curator, I Represent, ASpace Gallery. 2006
Curator, The Hero Project, WARC Gallery, 2005
Curator, Iconography of Divination, and Sign of Spirit by Winsom Winsom at ASpace Gallery, 2003
Curator, “Starting Fires” Lesbian Artists Group Show at ASpace Gallery, 2002
BOARD AND COMMITTEE EXPERIENCE
2018-2019
Inspirations Studio
2004-2010
New Africa Gallery, Advisory Committee member, Royal Ontario Museum
2004-2006 Board Member, CARFAC Ontario
2004 Jury member, Toronto Arts Council Visual Artists Level 2
2000-2004 Board Member, ASpace Gallery
1999-2001 Adjudicator, Toronto Arts Council, Arts in the Community Program
1998-2000 Advisor, Community Arts Biennale
Natalie Wood's Website