Name: Vicky Talwar
Occupation: Interdisciplinary Artist and Elementary Visual Arts Teacher in YRDSB
How long have you lived in YR? I was born and raised in Ontario, Canada. I have been living in York Region for over 20 years.
However, at 13, my parents moved our family to New Delhi, India. At 19 years old, my parents unexpectedly and permanently moved us back to Canada.
Why did you make YR home? I am proud to call York Region my home as it is one of the friendliest and safest places to live.
The beautiful Canadian scenery provides a rich cultural experience that has influenced my work.
What do you do for fun in YR? I love attending art exhibitions at the Latcham Art Centre and Varley Art Gallery of Markham. I enjoy the hiking trails and forests in York Region and walks with my family around the waterfront in the community of Musselman’s Lake.
What is one summer/winter event that you never miss in YR?
The Annual Juried Exhibition at Latcham Art Centre is one of my favourite events because of the unique collection of artwork displayed.
What are your favourite restaurants in YR? Smash Kitchen and Bar and Li Dynasty in Markham, The Host in Richmond Hill, Thai Villa as well as Maki Sushi in Stouffville.
What YR attractions/events/happenings would you recommend to friends who visit YR? Stouffville Picture Framing Studio (Artephile Framing), Tara Crichton has a fantastic art collection from contemporary artists and a curated selection of picture frames. I love the unique giftware and home decor in the store for sale. I get all my paintings framed by her.
Charlene Bateman, also known as Moonflower, owned the Moonflower’s Metaphysical Store & Healing Centre a few years ago and now has frequent pop-up shops in Stouffville. I love her products, especially the cleansing sprays, such as the Florida Water and the Healing spays. These
sprays are enriched with pure ingredients such as lilac and peppermint. I also love the smudge sticks and White Sage candles that I use to cleanse my studio space before I begin creating my artworks.
There are many other events/attractions I recommend to friends in York Region like The Latcham art Centre, Varley Art Gallery of Markham, the Whitchurch-Stouffville Strawberry Festival, Stouffville Holiday Market, and the Whitchurch-Stouffville Art in the Park
Bio: Vicky Talwar is a Hindu-Canadian interdisciplinary artist living in Stouffville, Ontario, with a lifelong passion for painting with mixed media. She is recognized for her uniquely vibrant and colourful artwork that engages with themes of cultural disruption, movement, and memory. She has exhibited both nationally and internationally, including Toronto, Los Angeles, New York, and the United Kingdom. Vicky has participated in group exhibitions at The Graduate Gallery at OCAD U and The Elaine Fleck Gallery in Toronto as well as two solo shows at Hashtag Gallery in Toronto. In 2017, she was the recipient of the Juror’s Award for the Annual Juried Exhibition presented by Latcham Art Centre. Vicky holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Ontario College of Art and Design and a Bachelor of Education from York University. Vicky is completing a Master of Fine Arts in Art, Media & Design at OCAD U. She is currently an elementary Visual Arts Teacher for the York Region District School Board.
Editor’s Note: Vicky was scheduled to present Inward Identities, a new exhibtion of work, at the Latcham Art Gallery beginning Jan. 8. Due to the recent COVID situation, the opening was delayed. We will update readers with more information on Vicky’s show when it becomes available.
