When I worked for the City of Ottawa I had the best job in the world. I coordinated exhibitions in the two exhibition salons of Trinity Art Gallery, the Lower Lobby’s LaLonde + Doyle Exhibition Space and the Upper Lobby display case. I’ve been retired from the City since the fall of 2020, but I now live a couple blocks away from the Centre, so it’s a quick jaunt if I want to catch an exhibition or event there.
COVID messed things up for the City badly. Staff had been deployed to new locations and positions. Programming was cancelled and left dangling in the existential uncertainty. It took a while for exhibitions by local and regional artists to get back up to speed. They’re still not quite all the way back, but it’s great to see work by artists on those walls I worked on for many years.
One great show, up now, in Trinity Art Gallery (the entire space, which is a huge challenge for a solo artist), features the work of Ottawa photographer David D. Pistol.
“I Am Hip Hop” is a visual exploration of Hip-Hop culture, told through the lens of David D. Pistol’s camera. From the streets of Ottawa to global perspectives, this exhibition highlights the voices, stories, and struggles that have shaped the culture for over four decades. The collection features a compelling mix of street photography, portraiture, and dynamic images that celebrate the raw, authentic energy of Hip-Hop. Drawing from his personal experiences within the Hip-Hop community, including collaborations with organizations like House of Paint and Cranium Arts Project, David D. Pistol invites viewers to witness the unique stories and faces behind Hip-Hop, with a focus on the power of self-expression, identity, and community.


The number of exhibitions in the City’s Community Galleries is lower than when I worked there, but this gives each exhibition time to marinate in the space and remove excuses for folks to not visit. David’s show is up until April 8. https://shenkmanarts.ca/en/trinity-art-gallery. While you’re at the Centre, make sure you check out all the other exhibition spaces. Get tickets for a show in the two theatres. Sign up for an art class. Go to a dance recital. Book a space for your event.
David’s Website: https://www.daviddpistol.com.
Go.