A day passes like a year, 2021-2022

Ode to Autumn
Ode to Winter
Ode to Spring
Ode to Summer

Inkjet print on vinyl
69 x 119”

In a quadriptych portrait of the year ahead and a reflection on the year that has passed, A day passes like a year looks to the Chinese four seasons painting traditions and the immediate locale of Mercer Union Gallery to glean a format for telling time in its place through change, personal connection, and collective association.

Ode to Autumn is the first edition in the yearlong series. Accompanying the work is a text written by Maya Wilson-Sanchez. Ode to Autumn features objects sourced from a friend who used to live at Lansdowne and Bloor, an internet purchase exchanged at the intersection, flora growing at the corner, the Salvation Army, AGP Mart, and Bargain Club Superstore.

Ode to Winter is the second edition in the yearlong series; accompanying the work is a text written by Cason Sharpe. Ode to Winter features objects sourced from AGP Mart, Bargain Club Superstore, Chito’s Pizza, Harar Grocery, Hasty Market, Salvation Army, TL Variety and Value Village.

Ode to Spring is the third edition in the yearlong series; accompanying the work is a text written by Stephanie Wong Ken. Ode to Spring features objects sourced from AGP Mart, Bargain Club Superstore, Salvation Army, TL Variety, Value Village and neighbourhood recycling bins.

Ode to Summer is the fourth and final edition in the yearlong series; accompanying the work is a text written by Letticia Cosbert Miller. Ode to Summer features objects sourced from Hasty Market, AGP Mart, Bargain Club Superstore, Value Village and TL Variety.

Installation photos by Toni Hafkenscheid.

This project was commissioned by Mercer Union, Toronto, 2021.