Cartel
498 Queen St.W.
May1-31
Breaking; Still Revolution
Photography by Stro 1
Contact: Open Exhibition
Stro1
AKA Gregory Majster. Grew up in Toronto moving here from Poland in 86. He studied film at Centennial College and after that went to The Art Center, part of Central Tech. where he studied drawing and painting. He did photography during his first year of film school and loved it. Some of the photos in this show go back and overlap in time. School introduced him to The graffiti world where he met other artists and he became affiliated with Hip hop. When he finished school and sort of finished partying he knew he wanted to get involved in film and TV. Stro1 is presently a videographer for CITY TV his goal is to be a filmmaker.
Cartel
Owner, Clayton York has a winner with Cartel!
I’m taken on a tour of this cool two level “more than a store”/gallery/venue by Steve the manager. He deftly lists all the clothing they are carrying from Crooks and Castles to 88Back, Rock Smith, Monyak and more…
This is a store that innovates and takes chances. Monyak for instance, is a T-shirt designer that came to Cartel from an after-school program in the Jane Finch area, he’s only 19 and this is his first t-shirt run.
At the front of the second floor, shoes in a million different shapes and sizes are lined up on shelves. Below sits an unusual sewing machine over 100 years old and used by shoe designer C. Williams who will customize your shoes using retro in house fabrics.
Cartel will rent out their space for exhibits, DJ events, vintage parties and CD release parties like the one they recently did for Kardinal Offishall. They have only been open a year and their multi faceted ideas, sleek presentation and knowledgeable staff makes me think they will be around for a while.