Vessna Perunovich is a Yugoslav-born, Canadian artist based in Toronto and Belgrade.   

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In a career that spans more than 35 years she has presented over 250 solo and group projects worldwide. She took part in numerous international biennial exhibitions including Cuba, Albania, England, Portugal, Yugoslavia, and Greece, and attended the international residencies in Berlin, Banff, Istanbul, Malta, New York, Beijing, Bursa, and Quebec City. Since 2010, Perunovich toured her interdisciplinary survey exhibitions Borderless, Emblems of Enigma, and Home Paradigm to public galleries and museums across Canada and Eastern Europe. Her work is the subject of three comprehensive monographs, (W)hole, (2004), Emblems of the Enigma (2008), and Home Paradigm: A New Place of Belonging (2023). Perunovich’s work is part of many art collections in Canada and Europe including Art Gallery of Hamilton, Cambridge Art Galleries, Textile Museum in Canada, the Museum of Contemporary Art Belgrade, US Embassy in Belgrade, Cultural Centre of Belgrade in Serbia, and many others. She is the recipient of numerous Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, and Toronto Arts Council grants, most notably Ontario Arts Council Chalmers Fellowship Grant in 2019. She received a prestigious TFVA Award in 2005 and was shortlisted for the best exhibition of the year by Politika in 2011 and 2023.  

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In challenging times, the refusal to succumb to despair is a testament to the persistence inherent in humanity. The artworks in Fortitude/Fragile advocate for change and understanding, accentuating the strength of human spirit and the efficacy of decisive actions. They underscore the importance of regenerative learning and cultivate an atmosphere steeped in mutual respect and tolerance.

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Fortitude/Fragile is guest curated by Magda González-Mora. 

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Onsite Gallery is generously supported by The Delaney Family

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Onsite Gallery Production Team: Víctor Medina Vázquez, Jay Saltanatkhah & Lion (Ismail) Sher.

Video production by Lion (Ismail) Sher.