Our first collaborative digital art show with UBCBSU to highlight and present Black artists based in and around Vancouver on our Instagram , @ubcbsu and website.
We hope to showcase this work as a much needed reminder and celebration of the resiliency, importance and beauty of Black artists, creators and organizers.
Curated by BSU Co-Presidents: Maia Wallace and Tracy Odhiambo
Participating Artists
Ayomide Daniel Adegborioye
The Afrolution
Edwin A. Edou
Afomia Haile
Ariella Horvath
Stephanie Okoli
Michael Oyaro
Ninotchka Pierre Pierre
Maia Wallace
Denver J. Wilson-Rymer II
Nov 6
-
Nov 14,
2020
BLXCK: A UBCBSU ART SHOW
ARIELLA HORVATH
PHOTOGRAPHER
With a BA in Media and Communications, Ariella works professionally as not a graphic designer, a video editor and a videographer, but also in many other creative avenues. In her free time, she works in editorial portraiture that can showcase the rawness, fragility, dynamism, and beauty of humanity. Her most recent capsule entitled ‘Black Texture’ works to depict ordinary people accurately and honestly while simultaneously highlighting deeper metaphorical meanings and realities for people of all types. Although this specific piece primarily features others, it is a piece that is a direct reflection and extension of Ariella. It tells a story of history and story through texture while working to normalize seeing people similar to Ariella from all walks of life. After picking up photography a year and a half ago, she has since been featured in magazines such as Shadow Lane and several other magazines.
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Instagram: @a_ria_h
Website: www.ariellailona.com
Performance by Ninotchka
SONG: Strange Fruit by Nina Simone
NINOTCHKA PIERRE PIERRE
DANCER
At 16 years old, Ninotchka choreographed her first dance routine while participating in a dance competition. Although she has been dancing since a young age, it wasn’t until she turned 16 that she realized she could use dance as a way to focus on issues going on within her community while working to portray a message through her choreography. Being able to feel as though she’s a part of something bigger than herself when she dances has become her favorite part of dancing. From subtle conversations she hears between strangers on the bus to Kendrick Lamar’s speaking his truth and reaching out to the Black community, Ninotchka can easily draw inspiration from different aspects of her life. Although she doesn’t have a favorite song to perform to, she finds power in the lyrics of the song ‘Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst’ by Kendrick Lamar.
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Instagram: @ivyhawkhood
STEPHANIE OKOLI
ILLUSTRATOR/VIDEOGRAPHER
THE BLACK EXPERIENCE, VIDEO
STEPHANIE OKOLI
"This short film centres around the aspects that all Black people share."
Trigger warning: Images of violence and police brutality
US, DIGITAL COLLAGE
STEPHANIE OKOLI
'Us a product of African contemporary art. It centres around Lupita Nyong' o and celebrates Black beauty"
70's Afro Girl
Her art style is inspired by the 1969 Scooby-Doo cartoon and the cartoons of the Hanna Barbera era. She would have had her own cartoon at that time, solving mysteries with her group of friends.
Afro Puff Girl With Sword
She is the protagonist of her story. She is training to be a master swordsmen to defend her city against invaders.
Afro Girl
She is a normal girl who wishes everyone she crosses by would not try and touch her hair.
STEPHANIE OKOLI
ILLUSTRATOR/VIDEOGRAPHER
Stephanie is a beginner illustrator and filmmaker. Her favorite work she has made is entitled ‘The Black Experience,’ a short film about all aspects shared by Black people globally. After her first-year experience at The University of British Columbia in which she noticed the lack of Black community in academia, she was inspired to make this piece to represent the Black community in the fine arts worth both in North America and globally.
Instagram: @steph_1572
DANIEL ADEGBORIOYE
PHOTOGRAPHER
Daniel is a photographer and his favourite piece “Beauty Check” (Black and White Image above) was born from his simple curiosity to play around with lighting. It exudes a dark and moody yet also endearing vibe. Check out his work above and on his Instagram.
Instagram: @black_powr , @rnssance_
EDWIN A. EDOU
PHOTOGRAPHER
Edwin first engaged with the art of photography on his trip to Lalibela, Ethiopia where his friend Bo Jong Kim had given him a camera. Since 2012 he has been perfecting his craft. He has been inspired by that same friend and many other photographers like Kat Irlin, Tim McGurr and Min Hyunwoo to implement the components of asymmetry and vibrant colours into his own style with the aim of capturing the true essence of the human spirit. He will be showcasing one of his favourite pieces titled “Air for Smoke”.
Instagram: @eddypretendin
SONGS/PERFORMANCE
by THE AFROLUTION
THE AFROLUTION x UBC BSU PERFORMANCE
The 2 songs I selected to perform mean a lot to me…
“My Life” is inspired by my experience with mental health issues, and with the experience of close family and friends. I wrote this song inspired by their stories… the goal was to make a “feel good” song that represented the fact that despite whatever we’re each going through, we can find a reason, or multiple reasons, to appreciate the life we live. The grass is not always greener on the other side, so perhaps we all can find something to appreciate about each of our life experiences.
“Privilege” is inspired by the overwhelming effects of gang violence and crime that is experienced in areas of predominantly poor black and minority families, such as the Greater Toronto Area, Chicago and my hometown of Nairobi. I figured, there must be something that is a root cause of all these social issues…when I look deeper into it, it seems that an underlying commonality is the presence of broken families…single-parent households, the lack of a father figure. It may not be the primary cause, but it’s a cause that surely has significant effects in the upbringing of youth in these areas. I wanted to name the song “Fatherless”, but I figured privilege is a more subtle title…
THE AFROLUTION (ERIC CAURI)
PERFORMER/SONGWRITER/PRODUCER
Eric also known as The Afrolution has been experimenting with his love for music since the age of five. He’s a recording and performing artist, songwriter and music producer. Inspired by his many life experiences Eric has used music as a way to make sense of life and express himself. Although he has many favourites he believes his latest work is the greatest and is excited to share his piece “Privilege” with us today.
Instagram: @theafrolution
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THE LAST NINE MONTHS,
PHOTO SERIES
by DENVER
“The following images and text are excerpts from a project I haven't quite finished yet. Entitled ‘The Last Nine Months,’ this short story is a soliloquy of the nine months preceding the 27th of June, 2020. Enjoy this little teaser.” - Denver
DENVER J WILSON-RYMER II
PHOTOGRAPHER
Follow Denver on Instagram at:
@indulgent.images
and visit his website:
AFOMIA HAILE
AUTHOR/POET
Read Afomia's poetry below and follow on Instagram at:
@akh_poetry
MAIA WALLACE
SINGER
MAIA is a recording singer/songwriter who is focused on creating music she loves. With her soul vocals on a RNB beat she is able to sing relatable feels that move all people with her vibes.
Follow MAIA on Instagram at:
@maia.II
and visit her on Spotify:
I See You (Freestyle),
Official Music Visual
by MAIA
ARTWORKS
by MICHAEL OYARO
MICHAEL OYARO
VISUAL ARTISTS/VIDEOGRAPHER/PHOTOGRAPHER
My name is Michael Oyaro. I am from Kenya. I currently study at Emily Carr University of Art and Design
as a Film and Screen Arts Major. I am visual artist and I also work professionally as a Photographer,
videographer and as well as I do creative/custom paintings. I have been in Canada for three years now
and early this year won AFAM 2020 Fashion photographer of the year. All started with drawing and I
later started exploring different forms of art and in time I realized that I have talent in photography as
well especially in the fashion/portrait photography sector. In my free time, I do creative paintings or a
series of paintings using acrylics as my favorite medium to use.
FOLLOW MICHAEL ON INSTAGRAM:
@MICHAEL.OYARO