Toronto art gallery takes quirky look at Christmas

By Carla Tonelli

TORONTO (Reuters Life!) - Mrs. Claus bats, yuletide "Death" stockings and a print of a rifle-toting young girl are some of the darker goodies up for grabs at a small art gallery in Toronto during a holiday exhibit this month.

The 11th annual "Christmas Spice" exhibit at Paul Petro Contemporary Art showcases original work from 32 Canadian artists, including Maura Doyle's pile of 170 tiny porcelain bones, for C$3 ($3) each, that sold out on opening night.

"She may be making more," says Paul Petro, the gallery's owner.

Petro likens the show to a "Christmas grotto" with work hanging from window frames and on the floor, all encircling a DNA-themed tree decorated by Shannon Partridge.

"Any of the critiques are very inspired to lift people out of themselves and that little shock of recognition is either done in a soft kind of way or a little more direct," Petro said.

"Here, you're not overly encouraged to spend but just to look and to think and to enjoy, that kind of thing," he said, adding that the exhibit was first launched in the spirit of making original art available for all budgets.

Artist Sandy Plotnikoff's work features hot-stamped photographs with "Holidays Canceled" superimposed on the surface. The 14x9-inch piece costs C$350 -- but a C$2 gift card is also available.

"You can own a piece of that whole idea for $2. That's really something for someone who maybe hasn't purchased a work of art before," Petro said.