Artwork Collection

Dancing with Ché: Enter Through The Gift Shop

While visiting Cuba, Astman was drawn to the emblematic design of novelty items that had been emblazoned with the face of Ché Guevara, a Cuban revolutionary leader prevalent during the 1950s. Astman found herself interested in the proliferation of his image, observing how his portrait continued to be appropriated – so many decades after his death – by various groups as a symbol of extremism.

political

Painting

150+ Reasons

This artwork was created by emerging artist Talie Shalmon, as a social enterprise project by VIBE Arts to acknowledge Canada's 150th anniversary. The artist was inspired by reasons submitted by KPMG people as to why they love Canada.

Dancing with Che

While visiting Cuba, Astman was drawn to the emblematic design of novelty items that had been emblazoned with the face of Ché Guevara, a Cuban revolutionary leader prevalent during the 1950s. Astman found herself interested in the proliferation of... More

Crafts

Dancing with Ché: Enter Through The Gift Shop

Toronto-based artist Barbara Astman explores the commodification of iconic revolutionary Che Guevara in a new exhibition in one of Canada’s most politically conservative cities. Astman creates a faux gift shop stocked with key chains, coffee mugs... More

Graphic Design

GIF Test

Testing animated GIF

I as artifact #20

I as artifact is a collection of arresting, face-like constructions isolated by a dense void of deep black. Bearing no specific markers revealing gender, race, or age, the features are intimated by the negative space encased by patterned skin... More

Work by

Barbara Astman aka. Barb

Photographer

“"...echoes across more than a century of technological innovation and evolution of the medium"."Audacious, humorous, improbable." "Intimate, personal, and quietly enthralling."”