Bevza Throws Weight Behind Upstart Toronto Gallery

TORONTO, May 4 /CNW/ - Renowned Ukrainian contemporary artist, Petro Bevza (www.bevza.kiev.ua/english/info.htm), will soon make his first foray to Toronto. But it likely won't be his last. Bevza has agreed to be a permanent contributor to the new Bezpala Brown Gallery (17 Church Street, Toronto).

It is not a need for greater exposure that has prompted Bevza to join forces with the Toronto Gallery. A multiple award winner, Bevza's work has evolved over 25 years with each new series generating broader recognition of his artistic gifts. The well-travelled Bevza has done his fair share of exhibiting in western Europe and the United States, but never in Canada. His last two Eastern European exhibitions (Kiev and Moscow) were so successful from a sales point of view that a number of paintings that were initially slated to be shown at the grand opening of the Bezpala Brown Gallery on May 15th are now in the hands of collectors.

From a business standpoint, Bevza does not need to raise his profile. His paintings have shot up in value some 1600% over the last nine years. Rather, Bevza sees this new collaboration as a cultural bridge. He looks upon it as an opportunity to showcase the creative talents of current day Ukrainian artists to a broader spectrum of art enthusiasts. It is also an opportunity to explore a new territory. Past trips, such as when he travelled to Croatia and Macedonia, generated stunning new series. Canada may well be Mr. Bevza's next source of artistic inspiration.

Bevza's permanent association with the Gallery means that there will be future exhibitions focused on Ukraine. Plans are already in the works for an encore exhibition in the fall that will feature Bevza and several other of the current mainstays of the Ukrainian art world.

There is a silver lining to his continuing sales successes. The theme of the May 15th Exhibition is "...And Someone Else with Me". The deeply spiritual Bevza has cast a new series of paintings entitled "The Foot of Destiny" which he has agreed to premiere at the Bezpala Brown Gallery. Those in attendance will be the first to lay their eyes on Bevza's most recent creations. In addition, selected pieces from his Elegias and Theodosias series will be on display.

The premiere is scheduled to take place from 7 to 10 pm, Saturday, May 15th. Mr. Bevza will be in attendance and will intermittently be available at the Gallery over the following week. "...And Someone Else with Me" will be exhibited until June 13th.

The May 15th Grand Opening is open to those who register in advance by either phoning the Gallery (416-907-6875) or registering on the Gallery's website (www.bezpalabrown.com) subject to space availability.

For further information: Darrell Brown, President, [email protected]; Mila Bezpala-Brown, Director, [phone], [email protected]; Fariz Kovalchuk, Gallery Manager, [phone], [email protected]