Through art and artifacts, Museum of Toronto’s Home Game explores how the sport brings the city together.

"Women and gender-diverse athletes have always been here," she says. "We just haven't always been given the same space, resources or spotlight. More inclusivity in basketball means more people get to see themselves in the sport, whether they're playing, coaching, commentating, creating or just a fan of the game.”

A new exhibit at Yorkdale Mall is bringing together artists and their love for basketball, it's titled "Love, Art, and Basketball". The visual art gallery showcases the importance of the game to the fabric of Toronto.

“I want to approach the sport in a more delicate way, and want to explore the softness through[out] it.”

Serville Poblete’s latest short documentary King’s Court, now streaming for free at the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) after debuting at Hot Docs this spring…amplifying two of the thousands of lives scattered between the city’s countless (and often net-less) orange rims, each governed by a ritualistic ruling – winner stays on.

Art Director: Mallory Tolcher (featuring a custom-made basketball net made out of Cuban link chains)

Ahead of Paris Saint-Germain's Club World Cup match against Atletico Madrid at the Rose Bowl, the European Champions are hosting an experiential pop-up on Melrose Avenue.

“She created several art pieces for the space, with a standout being a lace soccer goal suspended from the ceiling of the lounging area. The piece is both delicate and strong, evoking the spirit of sports culture in both L.A. and Paris.”

One of the films we recently came across was King’s Court, a coming-of-age documentary that captures the realities of inner city life in Toronto. Set in the Bleecker neighbourhood in downtown, the film follows SK and Marley, two friends and aspiring hoopers as they navigate life in the hood.

Art Director: Mallory Tolcher (featuring a custom-made basketball net made out of Cuban link chains)

This special issue continues our mission to highlight the creative power, depth, and diversity of women-identifying artists across the globe.

Courtside Candy explores basketball as a cultural force that transcends the sport itself, deeply influencing art, fashion, street art, urban interventions, urbanism, architecture, and graphic design. This book presents a visually compelling narrative, focusing on basketball’s role as a creative catalyst within specific subcultures.

Panel: Basketball x Art
Featuring: Mallory Tolcher, Sam Woj, Kae Kitts
Theme: Art in Motion: Creativity Through the Lens of Sport
Moderator: Olivia Ho
Date & Time: Saturday May 24 from 4-4:45pm

When Sport Inspires is an art book offering a unique visual exploration of diverse sporting disciplines through the eyes of talented artists from around the world. Over 300 captivating pages of artwork celebrating the spirit of sport.

“Courtyard Blossoms” & “Full Circle”

Laser-cut acrylic backboards with blossom motif and floral basketball rim fine art prints

SOLD OUT

"Bloom" by Mallory Tolcher

Made with over 1000 real, dried and preserved flowers—a mixture of strawflowers and gomphrenas—concepted and hand assembled and constructed.

SOLD OUT

CityNews' Sports Reporter Lindsay Dunn speaks with artist Mallory Tolcher about her art that has inspired conversations on and off the basketball court.

“I think that sport gives the opportunity to really open up entry points for really anybody.”

On Dr. Naismith’s Canada’s Walk of Fame Hometown Stars’ weekend, the artist brings her hand-crocheted basketball nets to Almonte.

“I knew I had to continue with the idea of using a textile, and one that is surprisingly very linked to basketball.”

In The Fadeaway artist Mallory Tolcher captures the essence of this move by focusing attention on the history of women’s basketball.

“In her re-examination of women in sport, Tolcher uses tulle, organza, ribbon, and satin to create a series of women’s basketball jerseys to reference the construction of basketball jerseys from this time.”

Mallory Tolcher is a Canadian-based interdisciplinary artist. Her work explores traditionally feminine materials and practices within the arena of sport, drawing inspiration from fashion and basketball culture. Swish stopped by and paid her a visit! #swishwnba

“I hope my artwork can contribute to [getting the ball rolling for female representation in sport] in one way or another.

Join The Reach's Curator of Art & Visual Culture Adrienne Fast as she discusses some of the contemporary artwork and historical objects and photographs included in the Summer 2022 exhibition "Game/Culture".

Donnovan Bennett sits down with Canadian interdisciplinary artist Mallory Tolcher, whose work explores traditionally feminine materials and practices within the arena of sport, drawing inspiration from fashion and basketball culture.

“I want to help give voice to female athletes.”

In Game/Culture, the current exhibit at The Reach, Fast says she wanted to put together a collection from artists who look at sport from different perspectives, and ask us to question who gets to play and why.

“For much of the 20th-century, male athletic organizers were determined to make sure female athletes still looked sufficiently ‘feminine’.”

Basketball art show at Toronto's Local Gallery shows why basketball is the real beautiful game.

“I remember going to my first basketball game and not having that barrier, that physical glass divide between the audience and the athletes.”

At a time when the world needs a reason to smile more than ever, Toronto’s new contemporary art gallery The Local Gallery is making it rain this spring.

Through art, she wants to make sports more inclusive. When it's safe to gather again, come out and play!

“Nothing But Net, in a way, offers her counter-narrative — an over-the-top feminine response to an over-the-top masculine culture. But like a jacked-up hype reel, the project's objective is to get you into the game.”

Mallory Tolcher is the City of Guelph’s 2019 Artist in Residence. Tolcher’s project, called #GuelphMovesMe, promotes physical fitness on Guelph’s trails through an outdoor art exhibition.

“I find that sometimes being an artist can be very isolating, so I like to focus on community-based projects so that I can meet new people and learn from them, while making art.”