Multidisciplinary show fills the restaurant walls

By Rose Haberer

Since 1997, Insomnia Restaurant & Lounge, located at 563 Bloor St. W., has been a gathering place for Toronto’s creative community. This February, the restobar deepens that commitment with the launch of its Artist Series, opening with a dual exhibition by multidisciplinary artists James “Zirco” Fisher and Tyler Ball. The exhibition runs from Feb. 8 to April 26, 2026.

The Artist Series grew out of a broader effort to revitalize Insomnia as a cultural hub. Creative coordinator and curator, Sophia Wilson, noted the importance of spaces like Insomnia in providing artists with platforms. “The series is about creating a home for art that reflects Toronto’s culture—a home where people can gather, engage with artists directly, and connect with one another,” she said.

Wilson explained that she looks for works that can thrive within Insomnia’s eclectic environment. “For me, it’s especially interesting when the art reflects something that’s happening in the world. Art is an expression of what’s happening around us, and when it can really encapsulate that, it’s powerful,” she added.

The works by the first featured artists, James Fisher and Tyler Ball, exemplify the vision Wilson seeks to showcase.

Fisher’s series, Heart Matters, draws inspiration from what he describes as an especially turbulent moment in the world. “Heart Matters means two things,” Fisher explained. “First, it’s about confronting the emotions we feel toward ourselves and everything around us. Second, it’s a reminder that those feelings matter. It’s important not to lose heart during difficult times. Listen to your heart and live by it.”

Fisher described his relationship to Toronto as complex, often retreating into his art as a haven from the city while simultaneously drawing inspiration from it. “The city shapes my practice. I’m undeniably in the middle of it and contribute to it, but it also creates a tension that both inspires and distracts me.”

Fisher described the process of finishing a piece as fluid. Many works in Heart Matters are new, while others he has reworked over the years. “I’m always pulling pieces back out, pairing them with others and combining them to make something new,” said Fisher.

Tyler Ball, a two-time Art Battle Toronto city championship finalist, described a similar phenomenon: “There are paintings I could keep adjusting forever. But over time, there’s a quiet inner knowing when something is complete, and it’s time to make that final brushstroke.”

Ball’s works were created over the past few years during what he described as a period of significant personal growth. The pieces explore memories of childhood and the transition into adulthood. One of the largest works, Cottonmouth, reflects his struggles with self-expression as a child. “The mouth in the painting bursts with loose, twisted strands, like threads of a conversation that never quite come out smoothly. I’ve become much better at expressing myself as I’ve grown older. Sometimes I wonder if struggling to speak pushed me toward art as another way to communicate,” Ball said.

Ball credits Toronto’s energy as a major influence on his practice. The city’s “constant movement, streetcars, traffic, conversations, and music” keep his senses alert and provide a wealth of material for creation. He is currently working on a series of live paintings that capture the city’s fleeting moments. “Painting the city in real time is a way to plug directly into its energy and transmute that hustle and bustle into colour, texture, and movement on the canvas,” he said.

When asked what he hopes viewers take away from his work, Ball said he aims to spark imagination and inspiration. “Art becomes a bit magical when people interpret things about a piece in ways I hadn’t anticipated. I love that art can hold many meanings at once. I hope whatever feelings get stirred up stay with them in whatever way they need.”

For curator Sophia Wilson, it’s these connections between viewers and artists that bring the series to life, especially the moments when someone truly resonates with a piece. She emphasized that the Artist Series is about more than emotional engagement; it’s also a tangible way to support creatives. “When someone comes in, sees a piece, and decides to buy it simply because something about it just strikes them, that moment feels so special,” she said.

For more information about the exhibition or to apply for the Artist Series, visit: www.insomniarestaurant.com/visual-artist-series.

READ MORE:

• LIFE: Insomnia hosts art exhibition (May/June 2025)
• CHATTER: Insomnia Restaurant launches Artist Series (Jan. 2025)