A vast array of analytical essays exists in the blogosphere that seeks to explain why we collect art. Like trying to understand why we fall in love, the gamut of explanations is at once highly diverse yet difficult to nail down. The need for decorative embellishment, the expected investment value, the putting on of sophisticated airs, the desire for direct participation in culture… These certainly affect acquisition decisions and add fuel to the art market fire but they do not explain the emotional, cerebral pleasure collectors receive from their art trophies. Ask anyone who truly values the pieces they have acquired and they will describe a deep love and connection with these objects quite unlike any relationship with other inanimate things they own. What is the source of this bond?

A decade or so ago, I gradually came to the realization that, much to my disappointment and stunned shock, I was not the artistic talent I had previously believed myself to be. Though I had the temperament, passion and desire, it turned out I had none of the vision, dedication, originality nor persistence prerequisite for a life as an artist. The realization shattered my heretofore self-identity -- one I had worn like a wetsuit since my earliest teen years -- and set me off on various tangents that eventually led to my current satisfactory, pleasant and lucrative life, happy yet lacking the gushing creative outlet I had once dreamed possible and naively believed to be inevitable.

Toronto will be welcoming a new contemporary gallery this coming Wednesday evening. With its debut public reception, Daniel Faria Gallery will open its doors for the very first time on the evening of October 5, 2011, with a group show featuring three internationally-exhibiting Canadian female artists. Titled Saint Helen, the show will include new works by Kristine Moran, Shannon Bool, and Elizabeth McIntosh.

Though new galleries open in this city all the time, few are received with such excited anticipation. Gallery owner Daniel Faria has been an active and admired fixture in the art scene in this city for more than a decade. Holding a Masters degree in Art History from York University and having sat on the board of directors of the important artist-run non-profit space Mercer Union, Faria was the face of Monte Clark Gallery's Toronto outpost for nearly ten years (the gallery was renamed Clark & Faria in 2009 until his departure earlier this year). In addition to his directing work at Clark & Faria, he established a respected name for himself as an independent curator, consultant and critic. On top of all of these accolades, however, Faria is best known for being a great guy; he is always happy, energetic, hyper-knowledgeable, approachable, and generous with his time. Obviously one of the favorite insiders of the local art community, Faria's daring leap of faith is being cheered on by everyone who knows him, including The Ministry.