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Démonocratie Pat Jeffries January 13 - February 10, 2007. Pat Jeffries presents a performance: Explaining War to a Deaf Dog Saturday, January 13 - 3pm.

Detail, Photo Op on Halloween, 2005-6, oil, 24 x 36.

Demonocracy focuses on Canada's role in the so called "War on Terror" and issues of Canadian sovereignty and identity. Jeffries' subversive, funny and accomplished paintings are informed by classical biblical narrative art, fantasy, gaming, horror, WWII propaganda and 24 hour news television. A cast of 16 prominent neo-cons including Stephen Harper, Peter MacKay, Condoleezza Rice and US Ambassador to Canada, David Wilkins, march across rugged Eastern Ontario landscapes of pine trees, pristine lakes, cottages and cow pastures. In lock step is a supporting cast of spectres, rats, toads, and demons. The performance, Explaining War to a Deaf Dog, is a ten minute tour de force scheduled for 3pm on the day of the opening. The artist, in her "terrorist hoser" guise, paces back and forth in front of a large screen monitor on the gallery floor. She addresses the video image of "Pete", an old dog lying in front of the fire in a log cabin. What follows is a rapid-fire stream of consciousness monologue about the "War on Terror". The content will careen wildly from one subject to the next, some horrific, some bitterly humorous, some banal as evil itself. The opening performance will be videotaped and screened in the gallery from Tuesday, January 16th through to February 10th as part of Demonocracy. Bio Pat Jeffries is a Toronto born artist and musician. She is best known as the lead singer/songwriter in the seminal Toronto women's band, The Heretics. Pat has spent the last 10 years living in the bush in the Opeongo Mountains of Eastern Ontario where she has been painting, playing the drums and studying international politics. Demonocracy will be her first Toronto exhibit and performance in a decade.

Toronto Star H15, January 20, 2007