2026 marks 30 years of looking at the art of Jeff Wall, Vancouver’s internationally acclaimed photo conceptualist. A monumental body of work—somehow diminished as it is presented here at MOCA in Toronto. The space is too cramped—the work appears to have shrunk.
I’ve seen smaller shows in New York, including a small one at (I believe) Marianne Boersky, and another at The Met (how odd…) and the big one at the Vancouver Art Gallery in 2009 which I loved. So I have seen the work in a variety of spaces since my first glimpse back in the early 90s in Vancouver.
There are some photos—those I have entered into here—that seem so familiar that they seem a part “of me.”
They aren’t all here, not even close. It’s an odd selection too, and the new work feels tacked on.
I was prepared to be disappointed having had a review from a painter friend who, like me, had seen other shows. She wasn’t sure why, but reported being put off. I think the issue is the space. Much of Wall’s early work is in massive light boxes. I only realized after the fact that the gallery had to build walls in the center of the long rooms to hold “the Walls.” This makes for a narrow space, quite dark & cramped to view the show. As well, several of the works were dark due to electrical issues.
You can see I had fun nonetheless. Seeing these images feels like going home. Like going back in time. At some point I’ll gather my interventions from over the years. Or maybe not. Maybe I’ll let it be.
If you haven’t seen Wall’s work, I definitely recommend, but for my part, I’m waiting for a more expansive show in an expansive space. Although the chances of seeing the whole are likely long past.
Leave a Reply