Molly Steels is a Toronto-based artist originally from Bradford, Ontario.
By using photography to blend the past into the present, Steels reflects upon the social structures that shape identity. Her practice involves themes of connection, challenging heteronormativity and re-imagining family archives. She aims to visualize intangible qualities of grief, longing, and memory - with an emphasis on the nuance within these human experiences. Steels holds a BFA in Image Arts and a minor in Sociology from Toronto Metropolitan University.
CV
steels.photo@gmail.com | @molly_steels_photography
Solo Exhibitions:
Not a Sin Not a Sinner, Bradford West Gwillimbury Public Library, 2024
Re-Visiting in my Mind, Gallery 310, Toronto Metropolitan University, 2023
Holding On, Toronto Metropolitan University Image Arts Vitrine, 2022
Group Exhibitions:
New Vistas: Echoes of Home, Etobicoke Civic Centre Art Gallery, 2024
On Paper, Grimsby Public Art Gallery, 2024
International Call - Exposure Photo Festival, Contemporary Calgary, 2024
Exposure Billboard - Calgary, 2024
Perennial Darkness, Aurora Cultural Centre, 2023
Artspace Creative Market, Artspace TMU, 2023
Media Architecture Biennale 23, Yonge-Dundas Square Screens, 2023
Function Magazine Public Art Installation, The Creative School, 2023
Perennials - Maximum Exposure 28, Toronto Metropolitan University, CONTACT Photography Festival, 2023
I Used Tape and Glue, Artspace TMU, 2023
Maximum Exposure Salon Show, Toronto Metropolitan University Image Arts, 2023
Cover Song, Gallery 310, Toronto Metropolitan University, 2023
Artspace Creative Market, Artspace TMU, 2022
Twenty Somethings, Propeller Art Gallery, 2022
Imprints - Maximum Exposure 27, Toronto Metropolitan University Image Arts, 2022
Published Works:
Perennial Darkness Catalogue, Perennial Darkness, 2022
Re-visiting in My Mind, Cover of Qwerty Literary Magazine, Issue 47, 2023
Not a Sin Not a Sinner - Student Spotlight, Function Magazine, Issue 24, 2023
The Book, Style Circle, Issue 08 - 2023
Re-visiting in My Mind, Zine 24.1, Function Magazine, 2023
Socializing Girls, Third Year Show Catalogue, Imprints, 2022
Under Wraps, RAD Magazine, Issue 14, 2021
Rust and Rot, Blank Spaces Magazine, Issue 4, 2020
Cover of Qwerty Literary Magazine, Issue 39, 2018
Artist Talks, Presentations and Panel Discussions:
Presentation & Panel Discussion. Conversations on the Family Archive, Exposure Photo Festival, Contemporary Calgary, 2024
Interview. Art Byte #4: Re-Imagining the Archive with Molly Steels, Aurora Cultural Centre, 2023
Curatorial Projects:
Perennials - Maximum Exposure 28, Toronto Metropolitan University Image Arts, CONTACT Photography Festival, 2023
Maximum Exposure Salon Show, Toronto Metropolitan University Image Arts, 2023
Awards:
Studio Spotlight Award, Artspace Creative Market, 2024
CONTACT Photography Festival Student Exhibition Award Shortlist, 2023
The Image Centre Student Exhibition Award Shortlist, 2023
Nadia Marzouca Memorial Award, 2023
PIC Print Award, Artspace Creative Market, 2023
President and Provost Office Image Acquisition, Toronto Metropolitan University, 2022
Collections:
Toronto Metropolitan University Image Arts Collection, 2023
