Kevin Lagda: In Search of Light

Sunset Clearing by Kevin Ladga

Kevin Lagda: In Search of Light

May 15 – July 31, 2025
Reception: May 24, 2 – 4pm
Ascent Gallery, Toronto

In Search of Light is an impressionist exhibition of acrylic, landscape paintings. Living through Canadian winters for up to six months annually can be challenging, as many Canadian knows. The lack of sunlight and greyness becomes normal. During these periods, Kevin Lagda has often found his own mental health tested. To cope, he looks back at old photos of his travels throughout Canada during the summer months. Kevin’s saved images, taken from coast to coast, of lush forests, majestic mountains and expansive seas, inspired him to create these landscape paintings to create his own “light”. Through this exhibition, Kevin invites viewers to become inspired to light their own worlds in ways that bring them joy.

The landscapes in this gallery are set on the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi, Mi’kma’ki, Mississaugas of the Credit, Anishnabeg, Chippewa, Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples who have cared for these lands for generations. Kevin is grateful for the chance to capture the beauty of their lands through art.

Join the Artist on Saturday May 24th, 2025 at Ascent Gallery, Etobicoke Civic Centre, for the opening reception. Artist remarks and Q&A begins at 2:30 p.m. Light refreshments provided.

About the Artist
Kevin Lagda is an emerging, queer artist of Filipino-Canadian descent. He is most known for his work in the animation industry on Looney Tunes Cartoons (2021), The Loud House (2023), and Blue’s Clues And You (2024). After participating in the animation program at Seneca College, he decided to delay his dive into the industry to pursue traditional painting. Mentoring under Peter Chan and Keita Morimoto at Studio West in Etobicoke, he quickly developed his love of landscape painting. This is his first solo exhibition and venture into the world of fine art.

About Ascent Gallery
Opened in 2023, the Ascent Gallery is dedicated to early-career artists and collectives, with a focus on those from equity-deserving communities, living and working in Toronto. The gallery hosts 4 exhibitions annually, with most exhibitions running for 10 weeks each. The gallery is owned and operated by the City of Toronto, Arts Services.

Gallery Hours: Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm and Saturday, 10am to 6pm.

Admission is free and the venue is accessible. Elevator access only available during: Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4pm.

Ascent Gallery
Level 1, 399 The West Mall
Toronto, Ontario M9C 2Y2
toronto.ca/eccartgallery
416-394-8628
ascentgallery@toronto.ca

About City of Toronto’s Cultural Centres & Galleries
Toronto’s Cultural Centres & Galleries comprise five unique sites owned and operated by the City of Toronto. They include Assembly Hall, Cedar Ridge Creative Centre, Clark Centre for the Arts and Etobicoke Civic Centre Art Gallery and the Ascent Gallery at the Etobicoke Civic Centre. Collectively the centres present over 40 gallery shows annually, showcasing works by more than 800 artists, and offer close to 150 art programs each year in collaboration with some 70+ community partners.

More information about the City of Toronto’s Cultural Centres & Galleries can be found at toronto.ca/CulturalCentres or by following City of Toronto Culture on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.