Coffee by JOY’s newest art exhibition by Jeremy Do Hyun Joo explores human connection
By Thamilarashi Prabaharan
In Toronto’s blossoming cafe scene, Coffee by JOY is working with contemporary artists to bring thought-provoking, immersive experiences to cafe enthusiasts.
The new exhibition “COMMON ELEVATION” takes place at Coffee by JOY’s gallery space, Everything Gallery. Jeremy Do Hyun Joo, a Korean artist and owner of JDHprojects, has a collection on display in the exhibit.
Curated by Joo, “COMMON ELEVATION” takes common objects such as furniture pieces and ceramic wares and emphasizes the innate energy they have which makes everyday life meaningful. Within the exhibit, elements such as lighting and space are used intentionally to highlight the flow of energy around the room. This is paired with the featured artworks, emphasizing the meticulous placement of each object directing that flow.
The room itself feels as if it were frozen in time. As you walk through the exhibit, the energies radiating from each object guides you, creating a steady baseline for you to gradually follow through.
Joo also collaborated with artists and ceramicists across Toronto to bring this exhibition together, including Mika Sato, Satoshi Yoshikawa and FLORET.
“In the framework of JDH, it references the studio’s standard heights, dimensions, and proportions that augment common objects and experiences for thinking, studying, eating, and resting,” writes Joo on social media.
What adds to this exhibition’s uniqueness is its location. Visitors enter through the cafe where they can enjoy a cup of coffee and then walk directly towards its back wall, which has a hidden door that leads to the exhibition.
Coffee by JOY opened in December 2024 and has collaborated with various artists across Toronto since then. The cafe incorporates a minimalist aesthetic which its artist owners developed themselves.
In an interview, co-owner of Coffee by JOY, Monika Novakova said it was a natural choice to host art exhibitions at their location due to both her love of art and the cafe’s proximity to art galleries, such as the Museum of Contemporary Art.
Novakova’s passion for art broadens the establishment’s appeal to existing art enthusiasts and welcomes new customers looking to explore Toronto’s art scene.
“As owners, we wanted to show our product and make connections to other artists,” said Novakova.
For Novakova, the importance of bringing contemporary art to cafes is that it relates to the very human experience of just enjoying art and coffee.
“We want to support human beings and coffee [shops] are a place where people gather to get together,” said Novakova. “They meet up here, they come talk to us, so I think it’s a very nice addition to join the gallery space with coffee because you can grab a coffee and just enjoy, contemplate or rest.”
What Coffee by JOY excels in with their cafe-plus-gallery is its layout and purpose. It offers people a new way to appreciate contemporary art. The cafe’s minimalistic interior allows its gallery to take centre-stage and invites visitors to immerse themselves in the exhibitions.
“COMMON ELEVATION” is on display from Oct. 17 to Nov. 18 at 163 Sterling Road in the Junction Triangle.
Comments
Great post! I will absolutely visit.