Tommy Feiler
Tommy Feiler, a native of Welland, Ontario, embarked on an artistic journey that defied the industrial backdrop of his hometown. Without formal art education in his early years, Feiler's encounter with a Duane Michaels book was a decisive moment that steered his path towards photography, showing him the power of images to tell stories and evoke emotions. Feiler's lens-based artistry reveals the extraordinary within the ordinary, pushing observers to find beauty and narrative in the everyday. After earning an MFA from OCAD and immersing himself in the BAiR Residency in Banff, Feiler returned to Metropolitan University and Sheridan College, not as a student but as a mentor. Teaching became a mirror, reflecting and introspecting his creative process. Post-MFA, Feiler resolved to bring his work from under his bed to the public eye. He has since graced the art scene with his presence, participating in group exhibitions at Leslie Grove Gallery in November 2022, Gallery 1313 in early 2023, and Blitz Gallery, where he showcased his work twice in the same year. Feiler was also part of the TORONTO ARTIST PROJECT at the Better Living Centre in April 2023. His art marries the simplicity of everyday items with provocative text and invites laughter and contemplation, challenging the viewer to reassess visual communication. Through his exhibitions and teaching, Feiler continues to illuminate the profound in the mundane, making the familiar unexpected. |