Fall 2026 Exhibitions Open at Esker Foundation Featuring Diverse Contemporary Artists

The Esker Foundation launched its fall 2026 exhibition season with an opening reception on September 18, from 6 to 9 p.m. The exhibitions are scheduled to run from September 19 through December 20, 2026. The program features three main space solo exhibitions by Brendan Fernandes, Arthur Jafa, and the collaborative duo Bárbara Wagner & Benjamin de Burca, as well as a Project Space presentation by Johnathan Onyschuk.

Brendan Fernandes is an internationally recognized Canadian artist whose practice operates at the intersection of dance and visual art. His work explores themes such as race, queer culture, migration, protest, and other forms of collective movement. Fernandes considers dance to be political, celebratory, and collaborative, using it as a language to assert identity, proclaim visibility, and seek connection or joy.

After an injury prematurely ended his dance career, Fernandes shifted his focus to visual art. His multidisciplinary approach raises questions about migration, systemic injustice, colonial legacies, and the complexities of identity. Much of his work is guided by his personal and familial history, providing a deeply personal perspective on these broader themes.

Arthur Jafa’s exhibition at the Esker Foundation includes a nearly eight-minute montage. This work traces the enduring realities of anti-Black violence, while also highlighting extraordinary and everyday expressions of joy, movement, creativity, spirituality, and resistance. The montage offers a layered reflection on the experiences and resilience of Black communities.

Bárbara Wagner and Benjamin de Burca have developed a collaborative practice for over a decade, working across cinema, visual arts, and performance. Their videos and installations are created in dialogue with diverse artists and collectives. They combine documentary strategies with narrative layers of fantasy and allegory, resulting in works that blur the boundaries between reality and fiction.

In the Project Space, Johnathan Onyschuk presents a collection of anonymous “spirit carvings.” These are traditional folk art pieces that depict human faces—often bearded, weathered, and wizened—carved into pieces of wood. The collection reflects a unique aspect of folk traditions and the anonymity of their creators.

The Esker Foundation gallery is open to the public Wednesday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. These hours provide visitors with opportunities to experience the diverse range of exhibitions presented during the fall 2026 season.