Student sets out to cause a spectacle

Zane Turner, a fourth-year Concordia art student, has become an art hustler. In his words, “If you want something, go get it!“

Zane is leading a peaceful assault on the public today in downtown Montreal, starting at noon at McGill University’s gates on Sherbrooke St.

He calls the project Art Hustling.

“My approach is simple: 10 or 15 local artists will walk around town carrying their artwork and discussing it with anyone who is interested.

“It allows us to show artwork whenever we want and bypass the bureaucratic processes of waiting for approval from galleries or jury committees.

“We just want our work to be seen by anybody, and walking around with it seems the most economic and easiest way to get our work out there.”

Even if there’s no reaction, he’ll be satisfied, but he hopes people will stop and ask questions.

“The feedback helps develop us as artists.”

The publicity can’t do any harm, either.

“There is a great possibility to spark future opportunities for purchases, commissions, maybe a show in a gallery. We’re looking for opportunities, waiting in a studio wishing for someone important to visit.”

“I hope that Art Hustling will encourage other artists to tag along in the parade of artworks and also give new emerging artist a chance to get noticed.”

He hopes to hold Art Hustling twice a month, perhaps oftener if the response is good.

The circuit begins at McGill. It travels west to Crescent St. and down to René-Lévesque Blvd., then east to Peel, finishing at Dorchester Square.

To contact Turner, send him a message at rory.zane@sympatico.ca.