We are excited to introduce Alexa Hatanaka and Juwon Aderemi as the latest artists in our ongoing Artist Edition series. With their distinct perspectives shaped by diverse backgrounds, both artists explore the nuances of identity, heritage, and resilience, sharing personal stories that speak to universal themes and deepen our understanding of art’s transformative power.

Toronto-based Japanese-Canadian artist Alexa Hatanaka (b. 1988) infuses her practice with her queer and disabled identity, using traditional techniques in print and papermaking. Her work featured land-based materials, large-scale prints and wearable sculptures that explore themes of climate change, mental health, and survival. Her piece, Crossing (2021), is created from hundreds of scrap pieces of washi collected over two years, this piece weaves together elements of her past artworks with her family's immigration story, drawing on the impact of the Great Kantō earthquake in Japan. Recurring fish motifs embody hope and strength, connecting her personal history to broader cultural and environmental themes.

Juwon Aderemi (b. 2000), a Nigerian-born artist, offers an equally compelling exploration of identity through his distinctive blend of surrealistic figures and abstract realism. His work channels the spirituality and traditions of Yoruba heritage, examining the human experience with an emphasis on inward reflection rather than societal validation. Aderemi’s art, primarily in oil and charcoal, brings forward the richness of African folklore and the complexities of beauty and gender within Nigerian culture. In When the Petals Fall, They Don’t Wither (2023), Aderemi shifts his focus from the celebrated masquerade tradition to the emotions of the figures behind the masks. This piece, developed during a residency with Gallery1957, challenges the viewer to look beyond the surface and engage with the subject's vulnerability and inner world, creating an intimate yet profound dialogue on identity and self-discovery.

Through our Artist Edition Series, we celebrate these artists’ powerful narratives and their commitment to preserving and reinterpreting cultural heritage. As a special benefit, these exclusive editions are included for members upon renewal, inviting collectors to own a piece of art that embodies resilience, heritage, and the beauty of storytelling.