Black History Month 2024
Black History Month is around the corner! At Artspace, we are honoured to be part of a community overflowing with Black talent and creativity.
This year, in celebration of BHM, Artspace has hired 4 Black Nogojiwanong-based artists to take over our social media!
Tune into our instagram page each Monday and hear from a different artist about their practice and process. The takeovers will also feature performances, live art-making, Q+As, and more! As Peterborough’s Artist-Run Centre, we are endlessly grateful for new opportunities to hear from artists practicing in this community, and learn about what we can do to support and uplift emerging artists.
Learn more about each of our take-over artists below, and join us in tuning in February 5th, 12th, 19th, and 26th!
Artist #1: Aneno
Takeover Monday February 5th, 2024
Spotify: Aneno
IG: @_artyanna
Bio:
“I am an artist who embraces different art forms, from music and digital/traditional art to dance, fashion, and literature. This expansive exploration has not only enriched my creativity but has also allowed me to immerse myself in the intricacies of each discipline. My primary focus lies in the realms of music and digital/traditional art, where I've cultivated a distinct and compelling artistic identity.
In the music scene, I am Aneno and I embarked on my musical journey, releasing tracks on platforms such as Apple Music and Spotify since April 20, 2023. The cumulative achievement of 93.8k streams attests to the resonance of my work. Notably, "Delulu" has emerged as a standout, contributing over 80% of the total streams, thanks to the TikTok algorithm.
"Delulu" unpacks the challenges of being delusional, turning the heartbreak of misplaced expectations into a whimsical and psychedelic experience. Instead of dwelling on the pain, the track finds solace in the unconventional beauty that emerges from this delusion, offering a straightforward exploration of the highs and lows tied to unrealistic expectations.
In the digital/traditional art scene, I go by ArtyAnna, crafting pieces highlight women of colour, particularly Black women. Sometimes, my work extends beyond aesthetics, delving into societal themes, including Black History Month, BLM, #EndSARS, and addressing the rise of Asian hate during the pandemic. This intersection of my passion for social justice and art drives my commitment to impactful visual storytelling.
This opportunity to partake in the Artspace Social Media Takeovers resonates deeply with my commitment to showcasing not only my art but also the profound stories embedded within each piece.”
Artist #2: Sahira Q
Takeover Monday February 12th, 2024
IG: @dragsahiraq
Bio:
Behind 'Sahira Q' stands Said Jiddawy, a creative force seamlessly blending makeup artistry, costume design, movement, and storytelling with the art of drag.
Originating from Zanzibar, Tanzania, and shaped by an immigrant upbringing in Toronto, 'Sahira' reflects the vibrant intersections of their life.
Their performances delve into themes drawn from their journey, often offering humorously candid reflections on the world.
With a background in graphic design, each show is meticulously crafted, infusing a polished aesthetic into every performance
As-Salaam-Alaikum and welcome to my 'whole new world' — a vibrant celebration of the here and now. Each drag look is a unique story, a testament to the kaleidoscope of beauty found in our differences. I'm not a drag queen; I'm a 'drag djinn,' breaking boundaries and embodying versatility and boundless forms.
Statement:
My inspiration? The fierce trailblazers who blend black excellence with activism — legends like Bob the Drag Queen, Monet X-Change, Shea Couleé, The Vixen, and Peppermint. Their footsteps pave the way for my art, diving into myriad themes to provoke, challenge, and honour diversity.
My artistry isn't confined — it's a fusion, a wild mixtape of sewing, makeup, videography, sound engineering, movement, comedy, theatre, and storytelling. I weave these threads together, finding beauty in spontaneity, transformation, and diversity, infusing every performance with raw authenticity and electric energy.
Art is a catalyst for change, a mirror reflecting our souls, fostering joy and cultural understanding. That’s my mission, and I’m dedicated to it.
Artist #3: Kas Mutale
Takeover Monday February 19th, 2024
Bio:
My art explores the deconstruction of the self, challenging societal norms and inviting viewers to question their own perceptions. Through various mediums, I seek to communicate the interconnectedness of individuals and communities while advocating for social change and decolonization of thought. My work aims to create accepting spaces and promote dialogue that inspires growth and realignment with the universe.
Statement:
In my artwork, I delve into the profound concept of an existential crisis and challenge the conventional notion of self. I believe that these crises serve a purpose by dismantling our preconceived ideas about who we are. Drawing from my personal experience of undergoing an existential crisis since 2020, which served as the inspiration for my series of self-portraits, I explore the intricate layers of self-discovery.
Engaging in philosophical discussions with fellow students further propelled my artistic exploration. These conversations led me to question the path of pursuing graduate school, prompting me to critique the modern education system and emphasize the significance of community and the common good. Descartes' renowned statement, "cogito ergo sum," becomes a subject of criticism as I propose an alternative interpretation: "I think, therefore I am, and I am, because you are." This perspective underscores the interconnectedness between individuals and communities, advocating for the mutual influence we have on one another.
By advocating for diverse voices and employing art as a medium of expression, I strive to foster communication of different ways of life. I am passionate about decolonizing thoughts and challenging deeply ingrained prejudices that persist in our society. In this pursuit, I draw inspiration from Kimon Nicolaïdes' "The Natural Way to Draw" and Maurice Merleau-Ponty's "Eye and Mind," integrating their philosophies into my artistic process.
In my chosen medium of pencil drawing, I felt compelled to focus on the portrait, drawing upon the influence of Michelangelo's "The Creation of Adam." In homage to this iconic artwork, I closely studied and portrayed my own hands, which I consider to be a representation of divinity.
To capture the essence of hands' innate expressiveness, I worked with swiftness and spontaneity, reflecting their natural movements. During the creation process, I grappled with the approach to the background, contemplating a collage style utilizing found objects. However, I shifted my perspective when contemplating the idea of perception. Recognizing that eyes play a significant role in how we perceive the world, I opted for a diverse array of eye designs derived from cartoons, doodles, and even anime. This decision served as an integral element in conveying the underlying philosophy of the artwork.
"The deconstruction of the self" within my piece serves as an inquiry into human existence, demanding a disconnection from the voices of trauma, prejudice, and oppression. Only by silencing these voices can we transcend ourselves and experience true growth.
Artist #4: Justine-Marie Williams
Takeover Monday February 26th, 2024
IG: @justinemariewilliams
Bio:
Justine-Marie is a new Canadian immigrating from Jamaica, West Indies recently graduating from the Trent Public Text's MA program with a thesis focusing on colonialism in print-publishing and is passionate about international accessibility for marginalized stories by marginalized people and exposing the political histories of the publication process. As a freelance artist and photographer she blends her literary editing skills and research with her artistic and creative sensibilities in roles such as Editor and Creative Director with the former CWTP local Zora magazine and her current position as Communications Coordinator for CRRC.
Artist Statement:
Justine-Marie is a multimedia artist from Jamaica still learning how to navigate her new environment of Peterborough, Canada. Her creative journey is an exploration of the profound connections between storytelling, activism, and the powerful potential of decolonial praxis within the realm of art and the written word. Her artistic practice focuses on drawing from the ecology of the Caribbean as a guiding mythos, to delve into the nuances of dismantling oppressive systems, and emphasize the importance of reclaiming narratives and perspectives that have been historically silenced. This mythopetic is currently shaped by the obvious differences within her natural environment, coming from the Caribbean to Canada, and the political impact of such movements, with threads of personal narrative, collective memory, and social commentary. Justine-Marie invites viewers and readers alike to engage with marginalized narratives, amplifying voices and sparking conversations that are both necessary and explore the limitless possibilities of storytelling as a catalyst for politcal change.
