Past Events
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Exhibition
Non-Finito
A solo exhibition of captive stone carving by Brian Richer of Castor Design
May 17-31, 2018
The Captive (or ‘unfinished’) figures of Michelangelo are the primary inspiration for the series by Brian Richer. The Creative Director at Castor Design is also a trained stone carver. He has worked on many architecturally significant buildings in North America, and has explored captives for years.
The Captive sculptures are simple forms, carved using only hand tools, mallet, and chisel. Unlike most sculptors—who built a model and then marked up their block of marble to know where to carve—Michelangelo always worked freehand. He saw the sculptor’s job was to reveal the work that already existed within the stone. In these figures one can still see the grooves from the chisel, the process of the work, revealing the hand of the sculptor.
The Captive collection is one that presents classic forms (such as a stone bowl, a Shaker table, a Donald Judd chair, etc.) emerging from rough blocks of Indiana Limestone. Each object is partially consumed by the natural material in either a roughed or rectilinear shape. The series ascribes the same value to these pieces of furniture that is given to Michelangelo’s figures. The result is both recognizable and venerable at once.
Ace Hill drinks and stew will be served at the opening reception by Brian Richer and chef Matty Matheson.
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Exhibition
Keisuke and Michiko IWATA
An exhibition of ceramic work and sculpture
September 27, 2017 - October 15, 2017
Michiko Iwata and Keisuke Iwata, two artists working within two mediums towards a common affinity for creating objects deeply rooted in their surroundings.
Motivated to illuminate the power and presence of discarded and undervalued ephemera, Michiko shapes simple three-dimensional geometric objects from wood, and layers them with acrylic paint and found vintage paper from around her atelier in Fukutsu city. The resulting work is a meditation on natural cycles of deterioration and rejuvenation present in contemporary urban life.
Attracted to pottery at a young age, Keisuke draws inspiration from the natural shapes common in river stones and found objects, such as seashells. By shaping and impressing the clay, Keisuke thoughtfully manifests his personal memories into gentle and tangible forms. An element of chance is then introduced in the firing process, where textures and burns form to make each piece truly remarkable. -
Exhibition
Template for Gardens
Yam Lau
September 17, 2017
Template for Gardens by Yam Lau is an architectural intervention that frames and re-orientates the interior of Mjölk. A text by Derek Coulombe accompanies the project.
Yam Lau is an artist based in Toronto. He teaches at York University and operates China Town, a project venue for art and design with his partner Morna Gamblin
Derek Coulombe is an artist and writer based in Toronto. Currently he is a candidate in the practice-based PhD program in the Department of Visual Arts and Art History at York University. -
Exhibition
Mami Hasegawa - Dialogues in Silver
July 12, 2017 - August 12, 2017
My ideas are shaped through my vision of ancient times.
I imagine Egypt and the Islamic Middle East in the year 3000 BC. During that time, the skills, techniques, arts and the beauty of craftsmanship passed through the Silk Road by nomads. It travelled to the East and into China, and through this continued trade and dialogue new styles began to be developed and eventually perfected. When I look at these works, crafts, arts, metal works, glass, pottery and lacquerware...I feel like a time traveler who travels between space and time. I hope to continue to create my own work through this vision. -
Exhibition
Réunion - Nichetto x Mjölk
February 8, 2017
2014 marked the encounter between Nichetto Studio and Canadian brand Mjölk. Three years later comes Réunion Lamp, to celebrate their fruitful collaboration by paying tribute to all the project designed together. As a fully international project, Réunion Lamp assembles together a powder coated metal shell made in Canada and a mouth blown glass body crafted in Murano. Réunion Lamp fuses the most significant lines of Sucabaruca and Aureola and harmoniously combines them with the materials and finishings from Uki and Zen/Han. By reinventing the past, the result is a minimalist table lamp with a strong identity.
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Exhibition
That Is Best Which Works Best
January 18-23, 2017
As part of Toronto Design Offsite Festival, Mjolk presents That Is Best Which Works Best, a group exhibition which sets out to examine how past craft movements have informed contemporary practice. By looking towards the Shaker movement, many designers, artisans and craftspeople have found a distinct aesthetic informed by a philosophical practice. For this exhibition, Mjolk combines the work of Norwegian designer Hallgeir Homstvedt, Canadian designers Thom Fougere and Jason Collett, alongside museum-quality Shaker objects. The result of this combination facilitates conversation about how objects are designed and used. These designers look to create products which communicate the idea of functional, timeless design.
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Exhibition
Bestiary
An exhibition of porcelain works by Renaud Sauve of Atelier des Cent-ans
October 26, 2016 - November 9, 2016
"You don’t really know why, but sometimes images are there wanting you and opening onto mysteries. They’ve been around us for so long. Some 40,000 years ago on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, humans painted animals in caves. Today, many animals still live in the imagination of humans who use them for decorative purposes, to articulate what cannot be expressed, to transcend their fears or poetically render the details of the real world into another.
In my mind, the attention I give animals reveals that through their movements, life remains the focal point and goes on unwaveringly. The violent convulsions of a dragon, the minute impulses of a snail or the quiet comprise and dignity of the tortoise, are an invitation to build a strong connection with them. Animals can express anything. Depending on the context of dynamics they can say anything. Sometimes just as I am falling asleep or returning to consciousness and my eyes are closed, animal images come to me. Such treasures will turn into porcelain motifs or bosses.
This exhibit gives me the opportunity to display a whole series of new works. The term “bestiary” comes to mind. The collection involves (sculpted, engraved or painted) animals that may be real or imaginary. The creatures are often strange but never estranged. At least that is my hope."
- Renaud Sauve
About the Artists
Renaud Sauve was born in Montreal, Quebec, where he has lived and practised for many years. Between 1978 and 1982 he spent time with his family living in Congo. His family returned to Quebec and later he studied both ceramics and philosophy, working in a number of mediums: painting, fresco and mosaic. Before starting Atelier des Cent-ans in 2010, he worked with Cirque du Soleil as prop master.
His studio, Atelier des Cent-ans is based out of Irlande, Quebec, where he focuses on crafting ceramics made of porcelain. In 2014, Renaud received a grant from the Conseil des Arts et des Lettres du Quebec and held his first solo exhibition at Mjolk later that year. He has since shown his work in Quebec and Toronto. -
Workshop
Inspirations
A meet and greet with woodworker Yoshinori Yano
September 24, 2016
Please join us for a drop in meet and greet with Japanese woodworker Yoshinori Yano. We will be previewing a small selection of his work alongside a casual demonstration of his practice.
Yoshinori Yano’s sculptures are both ethereal and organic; through them he communicates a quintessentially Japanese idea of beauty in nature.
His technique is slow and measured, using simple hand tools to reveal each form, evoking emotions and ideas already present in nature: a delicate breeze of wind or the melancholy drizzle of rain.
Born in 1973 in Tokyo to a family of artists, Yoshinori Yano discovered woodworking during his studies in Capellagågarden, Sweden. Upon returning to Japan he completed a three year apprenticeship before opening his own studio in the city of Itoshima, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan in 2003. -
Exhibition
Momogusa
Masanobu Ando + Akiko Ando
August 17, 2016 - September 7, 2016
Mjolk presents works from the world-famous Gallerie Momogusa. Selected and curated by owners Masanobu Ando and Akiko Ando, the gallery showcases everyday objects that are both utilitarian and yet extraordinarily thoughtfully crafted. The exhibition will include Momogusa original products and publications alongside the ceramics of Masanobu Ando and the clothing of Akiko Ando.
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Gallerie Momogusa
Gallerie Momogusa started with the purchase of a 100-year-old farmhouse in Narumi, which was then physically moved to Tajimi, Japan. Famed ceramicist and Tea Master, Masanobu Ando, and clothing designer, Akiko Ando, wanted a space that would welcome visitors and pose questions about human relationships with everyday objects. The gallery, which sits outside of Nagoya, features both short-term and permanent exhibitions, often centred on the relationship between art and craft and basic daily needs. The work featured asks users and creators to revaluate and restate the relevance of items that are often used without much thought. The gallery uses the traditional Japanese farmhouse to showcase works in a relatable and personal environment. There are no white walls or traditional gallery layouts, but rather, visitors will find works displayed in rooms with earthen or wooden floors, Tatami-mat rooms, Engawa, a veranda-like porch, and Tokonoma, a room with an alcove. It is a place where people are able to connect with the aesthetics of space, drawing connections with Japanese traditions and craftwork.
Masanobu Ando
Masanobu Ando is a ceramicist and Tea Master. Upon graduating from Musashino Art University under the sculpture program, Ando shifted his focus from conceptual art to a dedicated practice centred around Tea Ceremony and the creation of utensils and objects of everyday use. Masanobu Ando creates his own unique glazes using natural materials that begin to oxidize and change with age and use. These glazes can resemble different materials like silver, iron, or rust. His works are both delicate and simple; the soft-edges are often hand formed and showcase the natural beauty of objects.
Akiko Ando
Akiko Ando, clothing designer and co-owner of Gallerie Momogusa, creates works using exceptional materials of the finest quality. Her pieces are timeless, intended for long-term wear and use. Her designs are genderless and ageless without inciting any cultural references. However her pure approach to her clothing and keen eye for quality is instinctively Japanese. She has had the opportunity to collaborate with many important contemporary fashion designers including Minä Perhonen, SPOLOGUM, and Maki Textile Studio.
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Exhibition
Takayoshi Narita Wrought Iron Cookware
July 13, 2016 - August 8, 2016
Takayoshi Narita, a Japanese craftsperson working in wrought iron, creates beautiful functional objects that have been greatly considered in both use and feel. His perfectly balanced cookware tools are an indication of his skill, dedication and respect towards his practice.
Each piece begins as a flat plate of either iron or stainless steel. They are then heated and softened in a coal oven, removed and hammered into form. This process is repeated until the final results are achieved. Narita has been working in this medium for the past 19 years and his products are sought worldwide.
This will be the first International exhibition of the wrought ironworks of Takayoshi Narita.
Opening reception with artist in attendance:
Wednesday July 13th from 7:00pm - 9:00pm -
Workshop
A Meal Prepared by Seiko Tanaka Using Hand Made Tools by Takayoshi Narita
July 15, 2016
Seiko Tanaka, chef and owner of Hibari in Tokyo, Japan, specializes in koraisyu based cooking. By using koraisyu, heirloom vegetables, her dishes are both simple and complex, always highlighting the robust flavours that vegetables can offer. Seiko Tanaka and Takayoshi Narita, Studio Tint, have been collaborating for the past 6 years by offering both classes and culinary events, combining her talents in the kitchen with his handmade wrought iron tools.
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Exhibition
Nichetto Residency at Mjolk
May 17, 2016
Nichetto Residency at Mjolk
A domestic space designed by the Nichetto Studio
Featuring the launch of new works designed by the Nichetto Studio, expertly crafted by De La Espada
Opening reception with designer Luca Nichetto and founder of De La Espada Luis De Oliveira
May 17th from 7:00pm - 9:00pm -
Exhibition
Oji Masanori x Mjolk
January 20-31, 2016
We will be hosting our third retrospective exhibition of Oji Masanori during the 2016 Toronto Design Week Festival. This year is particularly special because we have commissioned and collaborated on a collection of lighting designed by Oji Masanori and produced alongside local Canadian artisans and small manufactures.
Please join us for the opening reception Wednesday, January 20, 2016 from 7:00pm – 9:00pm.
Furthermore, we will be hosting a TODO Talk: Join Melanie Egan (Head Craft & Design at Harbourfront Centre) and Oji Masanori for an interview about his studio practice and the current collaboration. Saturday, January 23, 2016 from 11:00am – 12:00pm. Please RSVP through the Toronto Design Offsite Festival website. -
Exhibition
Oji Masanori TODO Talk
January 23, 2016
Join Melanie Egan (Head Craft & Design at Harbourfront Centre) and Oji Masanori for an interview about his studio practice and the current collaboration. Saturday, January 23, 2016 from 11:00am – 12:00pm. Please RSVP through the Toronto Design Offsite Festival website. FREE.
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Exhibition
Selected Solo
An exhibition of enamelware by Kaori Juzu
September 24-30, 2015
Kaori Juzus’ jewellery is a gentle and sophisticated blend of materials, techniques, texture and pattern.
Born in Fukuoka, Japan, Kaori moved to Bornholm, Denmark, to study art. She apprenticed with the Danish jewellery designer Per Suntum before establishing her own practice.
Each piece she creates is carefully crafted from copper, silver and gold and is hammered into their individual forms. Colour and texture is applied through multiple layers of enamel, a form of powdered glass, which is then fired at high temperatures to transform wearable objects into art.
Her process is laborious and time consuming. It is also conscientious of the interactions between forms and environment. Kaori Juzu seeks to enhance the expressive quality of an object by giving depth and texture to form, allowing form and surface to melt together.
Exhibition and Opening photos on Kitka blog -
Exhibition
Alissa Coe
Primary
May 6, 2015 - June 3, 2015
A collection of work in porcelain inspired by the power and primordial nature of geometric form.
With this body of work I have attempted to create a primal feeling, as if each piece could have existed from the beginning of time, encapsulating all the strength and fragility of nature in the quality of the forms and materials.
– Alissa Coe
See more photos on Kitka blog -
Exhibition
Anderssen & Voll + Mjolk
January 21-29, 2015
Please join us for the first North American retrospective of Norwegian Industrial Design Studio Anderssen & Voll exhibition their most iconic works to date, along with the launch of a new Collection of Indoor Garden tools made by Toronto based Artisans.
Exhibition and opening night photos Kitka blog -
Exhibition
Renaud Sauvé
Ateliers des Cent-ans
October 2, 2014 - November 11, 2014
Renaud Sauvé always places an emphasis on emotion and environment for his exhibitions. For his first solo show at Mjölk, he created an environment filled with moss, stones, and branches from his country property and incorporated his personal collection of paintings, drawings and antiques, providing a glimpse into the inspiration behind his work.
For this specific exhibition, Renaud explored the creation and application of a black glaze, made from ground soapstone from a mine near Atelier des cent ans.
See more photos on Kitka blog
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Exhibition
Totemica
Luca Nichetto, Lera Moiseeva + Mjölk at the Instituto Italiano di Cultura
June 26, 2014 - September 16, 2014
Hosted by the Instituto Italiano di Cultura, Totemica is an exploration of the process of developing both Sucabaruca and Aureola from initial concept, to production to finished prototype.
Exhibition photos on Kitka blog -
Exhibition
Ryuji Mitani Solo Exhibition
June 3, 2014 - August 10, 2014
Wood plates, butter cases, cups, cutlery and even handmade sleeves for Chemex coffee pots were available for the first time outside of Japan.
RYUJI MITANI
b. 1952
Ryuji Mitani set up Persona Studio in 1981 in an effort to create hand-made wooden tableware for everyday life. His leadership in this field inspired a generation of woodworkers and set into motion a new post-mingei art movement called Seikatsu Kogei. In 1985 he set up the Matsumoto Craft fair in an effort to show the handcraft of his fellow artisans, and it quickly became the countries largest craft fair and gave a setting for different artisans to come together and display and sell their work. In 2011 Ryuji Mitani opened 10cm Gallery and cafe in an effort to create more dialogue between consumers and artisans, this gallery uses and exhibits Mitani’s work as well as other notable artisans.
Ryuji Mitani is now considered to be the most famous contemporary wood table- ware maker in Japan, he has written close to a dozen books about craft and has exhibited in countless galleries and museums all over Japan and abroad.
Exhibition and Opening photos on Kitka blog -
Exhibition
Chanoyu
The Way of Tea
May 29, 2014 - June 25, 2014
Our second solo exhibition with important Japanese potter Masanobu Ando. An exploration of the Japanese Tea Ceremony through an exhibition of unique Tea tools made by Masanobu Ando. A special Tea Ceremony performance was held in the front window of the gallery.
Exhibition photos on Kitka blog -
Workshop
Ryuji Mitani
Spoon Carving Workshop
June 4, 2014
The morning after the evening reception we hosted for Mr. Ryuji Mitani, we arranged for a special spoon carving workshop at our home above the shop/gallery.
Mr. Mitani has hosted these workshops in Japan and he came up with the idea in order to further connect people with hand crafted things, and give them an appreciation of the work that goes into making something as simple as a wood spoon. He does the workshop also to show how enjoyable it is to use craft products in one’s life, so that is why he also invited famous chef Ai Hosokawa to come along to cook lunch for all of the participants of the workshop. The idea was to carve a spoon, then use it during dessert.
Food by Ai Hosokawa
See more photos on Kitka blog
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Exhibition
Mold All
Presented by Play Mountain and Studio Prepa
March 15, 2014 - April 15, 2014
Our 2nd exhibition with Mr. and Mrs. Hira of Studio Prepa. This series is the result of an experimentation with wooden molds, the same technique used by mid-century Finnish glass artists to create “Ice Glass”.
A log is hollowed out and glass in blown into the mold. The end grain, knots, and grain are left imprinted on the clear glass. Since the molds are made of wood they can only be used a few times before they are destroyed so as a result the works are very limited and each piece has a unique size and shape.
Exhibition photos on Kitka blog -
Exhibition
Luca Nichetto + Mjölk
January 22-31, 2014
During Toronto Interior Design Week, we hosted the first Canadian exhibition for Italian designer Luca Nichetto. It was an opportunity to showcase his work for varied companies, as well as the launch of our collaborative project Sucabaruca.
Exhibition photos on Kitka blog -
Exhibition
LATrE Indigo
November 1-30, 2013
In the front window Brian’s friend and merchandiser Jodee set up a beautiful display taking all of the tools from Brian’s workshop and transplanting them to the store to show the equipment used in his dyeing process. This combined with the Dead stock WWII army tent turns the tools into artifacts of survival.
Along with the clothing articles, Brian made some incredible Boro-esque patchwork placemats made from military sailing fabric.
More photos on Kitka blog. -
Exhibition
Nakashima
A Retrospective
June 24, 2013 - August 30, 2013
Mjölk is honored to present the first Canadian retrospective of works by legendary architect and craftsman George Nakashima, and his daughter, architect, designer and head of the Nakashima Studio, Mira Nakashima. We are proud to showcase a large collection of iconic works by George Nakashima as well as new works from Mira Nakashima’s Keisho (continuation) collection. Mira Nakashima, along with her daughter Maria, and granddaughter Maya were special guests in attendance.
The Nakashima furniture collection was complemented by a curated collection of art by some of Japan’s most famous contemporary artisans. This group of artists includes potters Masanobu Andoand Koichi Uchida, wood artisans Ryuji Mitani and Shingo Tsukuda, and metal artists Takejiro and Mami Hasegawa. We believe this group of artists capture the spirit of the Nakashima’s work and carry on the mission of providing beautiful well-crafted items that go beyond their basic function and provide something beautiful that enriches the soul.
Exhibition photos on Kitka blog -
Exhibition
Tomii Takashi
June 26, 2013 - July 26, 2013
Tomii Takashi is known as a prodigy in Japan and is quickly becoming one of the most recognized wood workers in his field. His work exhibits very clean modern forms that are contrasted by soft tool marks. These marks leave a connection to the maker, and also reveal that such refined work can be made by the hand.
Exhibition photos on Kitka blog -
Exhibition
Kazumi Tsuji
Reclaimed Blue
May 30, 2013 - June 30, 2013
Kazumi’s special glasses are a collection of clear mouth-blown glass with a thin delicate layer of black/purple glass on top. Kazumi then cuts patterns into the thin black glass to reveal the clear glass beneath it.
Along with her notable clear and black glasses, we were also showing special blue glasses during the exhibition. These are very special because they are the result of a years worth of broken glass from Kazumi’s studio. The discarded glass is collected and melted down, the result was a surprise – an incredibly rich blue glass!
Exhibition photos on Kitka blog -
Exhibition
Norihiko Terayama
My Garden
April 9, 2013 - May 9, 2013
This past week we welcomed Norihiko Terayama to the shop, to exhibit his new g,a,r,d,e,n ruler. Norihiko set up a beautiful window display of foraged flora from the neighbourhood as well as from the multitude of Coriander Girl bouquets we had floating around. It took two days of laborious cultivating and placement.
garden is a ruler containing a collection of wild plants placed in increments of 1cm. I forage these plants near my home, I find many different types of plants and am at the mercy of chance and seasonality. To me, this is a miniature garden, a little piece of my own garden. Whether this ruler is placed on a shelf or a desk, I hope you will find a little garden in your own home.
Exhibition photos on Kitka blog
Video of window installation
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Exhibition
Claesson Koivisto Rune
Ceremony
January 23-31, 2013
Along with a retrospective of Claesson Koivisto Rune’s furniture, design accessories, and architectural models we are debuting a small series of products inspired by The Japanese Tea Ceremony and Swedish Fika coffee culture.
The collaborative work is executed by local Toronto artisans:
Alissa Coe, Scott Eunson and Adrian Kuzyk.
Guests of honour in attendance: Mårten Claesson, Eero Koivisto and Ola Rune -
Exhibition
ISSHO
Oji Masanori and Studio Prepa
August 11-31, 2012
Among a retrospect of Oji-san’s work, he debuted a collection of cutlery, a service of porcelain, and a collection of new wooden trays. In addition to promoting our new book which of course features several different artisans from Asahikawa, Japan there was also a curated exhibition of Asahikawa hand crafts present, many of which have not been exhibited in North America before. Last but certainly not least we showcased a collection of new glassware which is a collaboration between Oji Masanori and glass blowers Mr. and Mrs. Hira of Studio Prepa.
ISSHO means doing something “together” in Japanese.
Exhibition photos on Kitka blog -
Exhibition
Masanobu Ando
Kita Wou Omou Utsuwa
February 23, 2012 - March 23, 2012
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Exhibition
Oji Masanori
Life on the Floor
October 21-31, 2010
Japanese people take off their shoes before entering the house. Traditionally, they spend most of their times in the house sitting directly on the floor. They even dine on the floor, so you can still find tables with short legs in furniture stores all over Japan. After World War II, their lifestyle has become more Westernized, but the custom of sitting on the floor is deeply rooted in their cultural DNA.
These were the key pieces to the exhibition, two brand new prototypes. The Chabudai is a small, round-shaped table (600 mm in diameter) with short legs for one or two persons designed to be used directly on the floor for having tea or dining. The Zabuton, a square-shaped floor cushion, is used in combination with a chabudai to sit directly on the floor.
Also featured was a collection of accessories for the home designed by Oji Masanori.
More photos on the Kitka blog