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Apr 21 2020

My Daily Art

Teva Harrison

In 2016, I came across a Globe & Mail story about an artist, Teva Harrison, who, after being diagnosed with Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer, began writing a graphic novel, In-Between Days: A Memoir about Living with Cancer.

That same year I got to meet Teva, and we decided to work on an exhibition at the WAG. The currency was marked in weeks and months – not years – and the show opened in November 2017. My own thoughts on the language of art were revived when Teva told me about her need to draw her experience living with cancer: “shining a light on my experience and taking my power back.”

For centuries art has been the cultural expression of humankind, central to our survival and wellbeing. We understand this about Teva’s art as we learned about her in-between days: “I occupy the liminal spaces, slipping between unnoticed. I take the spaces nobody claims and I occupy them in the best way I know how: living life with a sense of wonder and delight. Because I don’t know how long I get to bask in the glory of this world and the people I love.”

Teva passed away at her home in Toronto on April 28, 2019.  She was 42. Her husband and best friend, David Leonard, was at her side.

Teva Harrison

Teva Harrison, In Between Days.

WAG Installation shoot, Teva Harrison, Photographer – Serge Saurette

Teva Harrison

WAG Installation shoot, Teva Harrison, Photographer – Serge Saurette

While the WAG is temporarily closed, this series of posts from Director & CEO, Dr. Stephen Borys, shares an artwork from the collection every day until the Gallery reopens. Follow along on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, or visit our stories section for this and more WAG@Home content.

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2 thoughts on "My Daily Art"

Ruth Swan says:
April 21, 2020 at 11:15 am

That is a sad story! I am sorry I missed this exhibit. Thanks for sharing about an inspirational Canadian artist. Ruth Swan

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Diane S says:
April 21, 2020 at 3:36 pm

Je continue à être inspirée par la diversité des artistes que vous nous présentez chaque jour…. et chaque jour, je fais des découvertes …. la vie est si fragile comme le chante si bien Luc de la Rochelière….. et les arts sont bel et bien une dimension essentielle de nos vies….. avec gratitude…

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