Going once, going twice…sold! Art-lovers and supporters of Casey House, a hospital for people living with HIV/AIDS, are invited to the AGO on October 16 for the 25^th annual Art With Heart fundraising auction and reception.

Our own Stephan Jost, the AGO’s Michael and Sonja Koerner Director and CEO, volunteers for this event. “As a longtime ambassador and advocate for the improvement in care and treatment for those living with HIV/AIDS, I’m pleased to return as honorary chair,” Jost said. “This is a great opportunity to support an important cause and take home amazing artwork by some of Canada’s foremost contemporary artists.”

Here are just a few of the incredible artworks available at the auction.

X mark
In this powerful limited edition print X mark (shown above), multidisciplinary Anishinaabekwe artist Rebecca Belmore explains that “the X on my back refers to the X marks made by our ancestors when they signed treaties in good faith with the Crown. I am standing where the land meets the sky.” Belmore’s work spans more than three decades and responds to pressing concerns of our time. X mark is on view now at the AGO as part of her incredible solo exhibition, Rebecca Belmore: Facing the Monumental which runs until October 21.

Kae
This painting, Kae (named after the subject in the portrait), is part of a larger portrait series by Toronto-based emerging artist Raoul Olou. The series was conceived as a visual diary of the artist’s journey moving to and settling in Toronto. Olou was selected by the Akin Studio Program as one of 30 artists invited to move their studios into the newly opened Museum of Contemporary Art Toronto.

Gareth
This bold and expressive abstract painting by Calgary-born, Germany-based artist Erik Olson is a portrait of his friend Gareth. Olson uses shapes, patterns and colours to conceal his friend’s identity. Olson’s stunning artworks have been exhibited in Canada, the U.S. and England.

Study for Apollo and Hyacinthus (Sepia)
In this sepia watercolour painting, Cree artist, Kent Monkman, explores themes of colonization, sexuality, loss, resilience and the complexities of the Indigenous experience. Monkman’s seductive and powerful artworks have been exhibited in museums across Canada and internationally. This summer’s exhibition at Toronto’s Project Gallery drew packed crowds and critical praise. Works by Monkman can be seen on Level 2 of the AGO in the J.S. McLean Centre for Indigenous & Canadian Art.

To buy tickets to Art With Heart and learn more about these and other artworks in the auction, click here.

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