Mark Liam Smith & Bernice Lum

Thursday, June 8, 2023 6:00 PM 18:00
Sunday, July 23, 2023 5:00 PM 17:00

Galerie Youn 384 Rue Saint-Paul Ouest Montréal, QC, H2Y 2A6 Canada (map)

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Mark Liam Smith

Death & Taxes examines the role of mortality and value in relation to our everyday lives by tapping into the narrative symbolism of 17th-century Flemish still life painting. In keeping with the memento mori tradition, my work positions mundane objects, such as flowers and fruit, alongside symbols of both mortality and wealth. Symbols of the former include skulls, cracked vases, and snuffed candles; the latter is represented by pearls, gems, gold, and other rare objects. Each painting arranges these elements in careful compositions to create a narrative of a life lived. Each painting is therefore both literally and figuratively, a still life. We've all heard that expression: Nothing is certain except death and taxes. Though seemingly harsh, this truth is what allows us to appreciate the fragile beauty and profound love in all that is uncertain.

Bernice Lum

Bernice Lum is a visual artist based, born and raised in Toronto.
Her current solo show is her ongoing story of growing up in the era of television, TV dinners, fast food, the Beatles, Elvis, Bruce Lee, and her favourite: Saturday morning cartoons.

“Oh my Dog and other Cool Cats” is about the precious moments of waking up on Saturday mornings and grabbing a cereal from the Kellogg’s variety pack that were perforated so you could pour milk into it and watch cartoons all morning with her brothers—and no dishes for Mom!

Bernice’s pins immediately evoke a tone of nostalgia, familiarity, kitsch, sentimentality, a sense of humour, fun, wit, and mischievousness—and they continue to pay homage to her late brother and father.

Death & Taxes

Mark Liam Smith

**Apple and Butterfly**, Oil on Panel, 10 x 8", 2023

**Cracked Bowl and Rose**, Oil on Panel, 12 x 16, 2023

**Blue Lobster and Pearls,** Oil on Panel, 12 x 16”, 2023

**On the Shortness of Life,** Oil on Panel, 12 x 16”, 2023

**Peach and Snail,** Oil on Panel, 12 x 16”, 2023

**Red Tulip,** Oil on Panel, 12 x 16”, 2023

**Red Lobster,** Oil on Panel, 12 x 16”, 2023

**Candle and Grapes,** Oil on Panel, 12 x 16”, 2023

**English Robin,** Oil on Panel, 16 x 12”, 2023

**Oranges and Oysters,** Oil on Panel, 16 x 12”, 2023

**Lemons and Tulip,** Oil on Panel, 16 x 12”, 2023

**Red Turtle,** Oil on Panel, 16 x 12”, 2023

**Red Skull,** Oil on Panel, 16 x 12”, 2023

**Green Skull,** Oil on Panel, 16 x 12”, 2023

**Bowl of Grapes,** Oil on Panel, 16 x 12”, 2023

**Memento Mori,** Oil on Panel, 40 x 30”, 2023

**Flowers for Days,** Oil on Panel, 30 x 40”, 2023

**Fruit Basket,** Oil on Panel, 30 x 40”, 2023

Oh my Dog and Other Cool Cats

Bernice Lum