Artists, critics and philosophers of the 20th century have endured a long and tumultuous relationship with the gallery wall—from modernism’s privileging to minimalism’s subversion to conceptualism’s disregard. In the current group exhibition “Off the Wall” at Galerie Leonard & Bina Ellen, Montreal artist Pierre Dorion (whose own practice engages contemporary painting and the wall) attempts to rev up related dialogue with a new generation of art viewers. The exhibition includes works by Barry Allikas and Neil Campbell, who intervene on the wall pictorially, as well as work from Alexandre David, who does so sculpturally. A series of monochromes by Claude Tousignant would seem to hover between two dimensions and three. Michael Merrill’s pencil drawings promise linear deconstruction, while Guy Pellerin uses colour as his main means of effect. Works by Wanda Koop, Louise Lawler and Betty Goodwin round out the exhibition. (1400 boul de Maisonneuve O, Montreal QC)

Alexandre David Untitled 2009 Courtesy the artist and Galerie Leonard & Bina Ellen / photo Paul Smith

Claude Tousignant Untitled 2009 Courtesy the artist and Galerie Leonard & Bina Ellen / photo Paul Smith