Mommy Mayhem Paintings in Wychwood Barns

by Rachael Grad May 2, 2026

Mommy Mayhem Art Installation at Wychwood Barns, Toronto

Wychwood Barns art vitrine paintings by Toronto Artist Rachael Grad

Mommy Mayhem is a contemporary abstract art installation now on view at Wychwood Barns in Toronto, featuring three original paintings by Toronto-based artist Rachael Grad. The vitrine installation explores themes of motherhood, emotional memory, and the shifting psychological landscape of caregiving through contemporary expressive abstraction.

Installed in Barn 2 at Wychwood Barns (601 Christie Street, Toronto), the exhibition presents a series of works that sit within a public architectural space designed for visibility and reflection. The paintings use layered acrylic and oil paint to build atmospheric compositions that move between figuration and abstraction, evoking states of parenting tenderness, overwhelm, and quiet artistic observation.

Contemporary Abstract Paintings

Currently on view ins die Wychwood Barns through the end of May 2026 are the following abstract paintings from my Mommy Mayhem series:

Mommy Mayhem: Pink Elephant Landscape Abstracted (2022), Acrylic on Paper, 22” x 30”
Mommy Mayhem: Bunny Landscape 7 (2022), Acrylic and Oil on Canvas, 24” x 30”
Mommy Mayhem: Belle Abstracted (2024), Acrylic on Paper, 22” x 30”

abstract paintings installed in Wychwood Barns art vitrine by Toronto Artist Rachael Grad

Together, these contemporary abstract paintings form part of my ongoing painting series that investigates how motherhood and daily life shape perception, attention, and creative process. The artworks shift between control and spontaneity, allowing emotional states to emerge through colour, texture, and gesture rather than narrative depiction.

Visit the Vitrine Art Exhibition

Mommy Mayhem is on view through May at Wychwood Barns inside the art vitrine and can be seen during regular building hours. The installation is located in Barn 2, within the historic community arts space at 601 Christie Street in Toronto.

About the Artist

I'm a Toronto-based contemporary artist whose work focuses on abstract painting, emotional landscapes, and the lived experience of motherhood. My practice explores how everyday life and caregiving can be translated into layered visual forms. See my full artist resume and CV here.

Acknowledgements to Wychwood Barns and Arts

Thank you to Wychwood Barns and ArtHubs for supporting this installation and for continuing to provide space for contemporary artists in Toronto.