Brianna Toswill at dhARTworld, Edmonton
By Teagan Melnyk
Brianna Toswill, Prologue, 2026, linocut & mixed media
Thoughtfully colourful, mindfully crafted, and carefully curated by the sincere hands and hearts of dhARTworld gallery, Romantic Tensions is extrapolated from the heart and mind of Edmonton-based printmaker and mixed media artist Brianna Toswill. She wows the crowd with her multi-coloured, one-of-a-kind linocut prints, each framed by a mechanical, hand-painted, hand-cut wooden frame. The collection of works is inspired by the search for true love. The artist immerses viewers in a collection of anonymous confessions on brick walls, interactive poetry on book spines, and glimpses at inner opinions we may normally hide.
Brianna Toswill, The Comfort House Project, 2023, linocut & mixed media
Though inspired by outside connections, Romantic Tensions is radically self-focused. Toswill uses “inner archetypes” as inspiration. She represents sides of herself to help navigate choices of the heart, the mind, and intuition. These archetypes are named Braveheart, Head of Feeling and Spymaster. Even in the practice of self-portraiture, Toswill manages to convey a wide range of experiences through three depictions of only herself. As she told me, “the more personal the work, the more relatable.”
Brianna Toswill, Spin to Win?, 2026, linocut & mixed media
Her print Spin to Win? features the archetypes dressed in clown attire. They are each separately placed atop a playing card, a book cover, and an iPhone screenshot. The print is encapsulated in a spinning, circular frame of hand-painted phrases such as, “wait. how adaptable is your personality? take a break.” or “you realize you love your best friend more than anyone you’ve met on an app. congrats! you’re gay!” This piece made people smile, smirk, and seethe over its relatability. The circular frame and spinning mechanism worked together to convey the random and cyclical experiences of modern dating.
Brianna Toswill, And if this is a Temporary Love, Still … I Have No Regrets, 2026, linocut & mixed media
Toswills’s partner was the inspiration behind her newest work and last of the Romantic Tensions series, And if this is a Temporary Love, Still … I Have No Regrets, which features three archetypes: Diplomat, Drifter, and Farmer. This time, they symbolize the inner workings coming together in a true act of love. The size of the work is longer than a 5’8” wing span. The background surrounding the linocut is hand-painted in matte strokes of a rich array of greens. Hidden there are words written in gloss to create a fog-like effect. Toswill was inspired by the classic romance, Pride and Prejudice, for its hill-like impressions and a colour scheme reminiscent of old film. As for the signature feature of each work – the multi-coloured linocut – it depicts the archetypes of the artist and her partner as they move into a new home. This is framed by 62 small etchings of Edmonton-based plant life, ideally suited for a garden (a nod to The Gardener archetype). Like every piece of work Toswill has made for this show, And if this is a Temporary Love, Still … I Have No Regrets has little hints and details to find and learn about the artist and this current chapter of her love story.
Brianna Toswill: Romantic Tensions continues until June 13.
dhARTworld: https://www.dhartworld.com/
The gallery is partially accessible.
Teagan Melnyk was born and raised in Treaty 6 Territory, Amiskwacîwâskahikan. Melnyk applies their creative intuitions in drawing, painting, and music. Through commission-based projects, local collaborations and studying for her BFA at MacEwan University, Melnyk has explored the Edmonton Art community and continues to develop her own vision along the way.