Justina M. Barnicke Gallery at Hart House

Frommer's Review

Hart House is, well, the heart of the University of Toronto community, and the Justina M. Barnicke Gallery is one of its treasures. But don't be taken in by the gallery's small size: Its extensive collection of Group of Seven paintings and other Canadian artworks, both historical and contemporary, is scattered throughout the hallways and rooms of Hart House (it's a public building, so feel free to wander and explore; just remember that the small plaques naming the work and its artist are hidden on the lower-right side of each frame or canvas). The Barnicke is a two-room gallery that features an ever-changing series of monthly exhibits. Occasionally it will show historical works, but its primary focus is on works by contemporary artists working with various media. Some of the shows may shock: Martyrs Murder, by Manitoba artist Diana Thorneycroft, was one that got to me. Thorneycroft created dioramas depicting the martyrdom of several Christian saints using children's plastic dolls and photographed the results. It was one of the most memorable exhibits I've ever seen.

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