Stefan Berg: Little Things

Opening reception: Saturday, February 22, 3—5pm

United Contemporary is proud to present Little Things, a solo exhibition by Toronto-based artist Stefan Berg. Known for his evocative cityscapes, Berg transforms overlooked urban scenes into compelling reflections on the intersections of architecture, infrastructure, and nature. Through a perceptual practice rooted in both art history and lived experience, he captures the fleeting interplay of light and colour, revealing the complexity, strangeness, and quiet beauty of the everyday.

In Little Things, Berg brings a contemporary lens to the traditional practice of plein air painting, using geometry as the foundation for his explorations of Toronto’s urban environment. His works emphasize the human imprint on the cityscape, drawing attention to the ways architecture and infrastructure shape our lived experiences. A key piece in the exhibition is a landmark painting of the Ontario Science Centre—an iconic structure by architect Raymond Moriyama, now slated for demolition. Berg’s depiction, seen from an unexpected vantage point, emphasizes the building’s monumental presence within the landscape, inviting reflection on its legacy amid Toronto’s shifting urban fabric.

“My paintings are out there in the world. I find them by walking and cycling. One painting always seems to lead to another. My practice is not unlike that of a photographer, except that the images go into my body instead of a camera. The experiences compound, merge together, and emerge as something uniquely different.”

A recipient of the 2024 Chalmers Fellowship, Berg’s recent work is deeply informed by his study of Southern Ontario’s luminous atmosphere. His paintings in Little Things reflect an acute sensitivity to light and colour, capturing ephemeral shifts in the landscape with clarity and depth. In 2024, Berg’s work entered the collection of the City of Toronto, further cementing his position as a significant voice in contemporary Canadian art.

We would like to acknowledge funding support from the Ontario Arts Council and the Government of Ontario for their support.