Kaleidoscope: Art exhibit using marble from First Canadian Place November 3, 2011

White Carrara marble from the exterior of Toronto skyscraper First Canadian Place is used as material in Toronto painter, sculptor Francisco Castro Lostalo’s new abstract exhibit and two paintings on marble to be donated to Brookfield Properties and Clifford Restoration in presentation ceremony.

Toronto artist Francisco Castro Lostalo showcases abstract paintings and sculptures, made using the white Italian Carrara marble panels from the exterior of downtown Toronto skyscraper First Canadian Place, in his new exhibition titled “Kaleidoscope”. The exhibit opens with a reception (6:30PM) and presentation ceremony (7:00PM) on Thursday, November 3, and runs to November 12, 2011 at Leonardo Galleries.

In appreciation of the marble donation, Castro Lostalo presents two paintings on marble to Brookfield Properties Corporation (FCP property owner) and Clifford Restoration Limited (experts engaged to remove the marble panels) in a special presentation ceremony (7:00 p.m.), where representatives from both companies will be on-hand.

The agent in Canada for the Rome-based International Association of Monumental Sculpture Events and president of Toronto Art Visions Francisco Castro Lostalo states, “Art and preserving our natural resources are important to me. So, it is a privilege to create artworks by recycling some of the Carrara marble panels, which originally came from quarries in the same region that supplied marble to the world’s greatest sculptors including Michelangelo and Bernini and that for over 35 years had covered the outside walls of First Canadian Place.

I am also pleased to present Brookfield Properties and Clifford Restoration with paintings on marble, as an expression of appreciation for their generous donation of the marble to Toronto Art Visions. And I would also like to thank Clifford Restoration for providing space on their premises, and Leonardo Galleries for their on-going support. I will also donate 25 per cent of the proceeds of this exhibition to Toronto Art Visions.

It has been a challenge to work with this marble (I could say to rescue it); grinding off decades of grime to expose the still almost pure white marble underneath, and then to cut, combine and transform what had been flat panels (200 pounds each) into appealing works of art.”

This exhibition celebrates the expressive power of colour and light in abstract art. Reflecting a preference for bold hues, the paintings balance energy and restraint, and extending his exploration of colour to sculpture, the artist introduced acrylic and resin to animate the white marble. The paintings are rectangular 12” x 36” and 30” x 60” and square 48” x 48”. The sculptures are 7-12 inches wide and 12-16 inches high.

For more information visit; www.torontoartvisions.com, or www.leonardogalleries.com.

Francisco Castro Lostalo studied the techniques of master stone sculptors in Tuscany, Italy. He creates work in a wide range of media, including sculptures in stone, ceramic, bronze, resin and wood, and paintings in acrylic, watercolour and oil. His works are found in collections and public art installations in Canada, Costa Rica, the USA, Europe, Chile and Argentina.

Toronto Art Visions is a not-for-profit organization established to promote art, artistry and art appreciation in the Greater Toronto Area.

Brookfield Properties Corporation has undertaken a major rejuvenation project to remove and replace approximately 45,000 marble panels from the exterior façade of First Canadian Place, Toronto with white fritted glass panels.

Official Website: http://www.leonardogalleries.com