Boy in Costume

In 2002, Miami-born artists Sam Borkson and Arturo Sandoval III began FriendsWithYou with the aim to promote a different kind of creative practice; one that is fundamentally inspiring, developing larger-than-life artistic environments to immerse patrons into their FriendsWithYou universe, one that seeks common ground to give people the chance to believe in themselves, and connect with one another. The imaginative world of FriendsWithYou has taken shape in the form of designer toys, large-scale installations, experimental gallery exhibitions, digital video, graphic design and other media—running the gamut of fine arts, public events, advertising and entertainment. From the “Skywalkers Parade” with 60-foot tall characters for Art Basel Miami, to an inflatable fun house for 30,000 people at Scope Art Fair, to creating a permanent playground “Rainbow Valley” inside Miami’s largest shopping mall, one can see why Borkson and Sandoval would describe their large-scale art projects as an “explosion”. Creating modern-day sanctums, they curate wonderful performances that are part confessional and part mystical ceremony—furthering the artists’ mandate to foster good wishes for luck, friendship and fortune. As a message that is invariably accessible and positive, FriendsWithYou believe in promoting a sense of exuberance against today’s general attitude of detachment. As Borkson feels, “In the As a forum for creative living, Narwhal fosters a commonwealth between awareness, interaction and appreciation. We established our first gallery in 2004 as part of Magic Pony and expanded to open Narwhal as an independent project space in 2008. Working as cultural mediators, Narwhal builds engaging relationships between artists, collectors, and the community. Informed by an entrepreneurial spirit, Narwhal combines a commercial gallery paradigm with a focus on innovative curatorial projects. Inspired by a commitment to make art accessible to all, Narwhal seeks to find an avenue for art and life to coexist on a broader level, creating collaborative projects and providing artist support within the forms of exhibitions, symposiums, publications, and multiples. Providing an International platform for emerging Canadian talent, and introducing artists from abroad to Toronto’s cultural sphere, Narwhal actively explores the convergences between fine art, design, and visual culture. Narwhal continually extends the ongoing discourse surrounding art practice to a wider audience, and works to connect the public with new curatorial ideas. Watercolor is a water-based painting medium characterized by its transparency and luminosity, achieved through finely ground pigments mixed with a binder like gum arabic and water, applied to a surface with a brush. NARWHAL ART PROJECTS & FRIENDSWITHYOU are pleased to present DAYDREAMERS, a solo exhibition with Samuel Borkson and Arturo Sandoval III, the incredible minds behind the magic that is FriendsWithYou. Showcasing the first exhibition of their painted works in several years, and focusing on large scale acrylic paintings and soft watercolours, FriendsWithYou reveal a fantastical universe full of colours, magical themes and spirituality. Much like the powerful enchantments they insert into all their projects, Daydreamers focuses on FriendsWithYou’s creative adventures and the spells they conjure as part of their personal mythology. Spreading the message of ‘Wish Come True’, FriendsWithYou lead us into their dreamy existence, expressing magic throughout the city of Toronto through installations and performance during the Luminato festival.