Curator statement:
Black Futures. Black Joy brings together the creativity of A. Decker, Faki Kuano, and Simone Patricia, three Waterloo Region artists that I admire. Their artistic expressions inspire, uplift, and remind us that Black Joy deserves to be highlighted and celebrated. As Guest Curator at Minds Eye Studio Art Gallery and Yoga Studio, I am pleased to present this group exhibition at the gallery from January 28th to March 2nd. Though this exhibition runs throughout February which is well known as Black History Month and/or Black Futures Month, visitors to the exhibition are encouraged to engage with the work of these artists and other Black creatives year-round. Private viewings are available, and the artist reception will be on March 1st from 7:30-10 pm. Event info is here.
For this interview, I asked the artists three questions. How are you conveying Black Joy through the works in this exhibition? What does Black Futures mean to you? What do you want people to take away from this exhibition?
A. Decker photo credit: Honey Photography
Alana Decker, who also goes by A. Decker, is a visual artist passionate about integrating art with mental health advocacy. As an artist, she aims to use her creative talents to raise awareness of important issues and encourage discussions around well-being. Through her work, she explores how art can both reflect one's inner experiences and bring more light to topics that require understanding. By blending art with messages of empowerment and compassion, A. Decker strives to help diminish stigma and bring greater comfort to those navigating challenges. Her efforts demonstrate how the arts can enrich society in meaningful ways by spreading messages of hope.
She has held two solo art exhibitions, Remembering All That I Am and When Passion Takes the Lead-exploring personal identity and passion. She has also participated in two collaborative art exhibitions: Black and Free at the Ken Seiling Museum and The Beasting Art Project.
Her work has been showcased at Raw Artists Toronto in April 2022 and Raw Artists Montreal in May 2022. She has also worked with schools to host after-school paint nights and many other communities.
I express Black joy in this exhibition by depicting themes of unity, strength, triumph, overcoming challenges, and pride in my heritage and culture. Additionally, I celebrate the joy of having beautiful ebony skin. These artworks reflect both my collective healing and the personal journey through art.
Black Futures symbolizes envisioning and working towards a future where Black individuals and communities together can thrive and work to be free from systemic injustices and discrimination. It encompasses aspirations for equality, empowerment, and positive transformation in various aspects of life. It's a concept rooted in resistance, and the collective efforts to create a better future for our Black community.
I aim for my art pieces to be embraced, inspiring people to recognize their inherent worth and feel the pride I experienced while creating them. My goal is to instill a sense of acceptance, reminding others that they are not alone in the journey of life. Through my work, I want to convey the message that we can overcome challenges, encouraging individuals to pursue their passions without fear. Embracing one's true self is a central theme, with each piece embodying the essence of self-love. I hope people see my art as a reflection of who I am and the genuine love I have for every individual I encounter.
Faki Kuano artist photo credit: Pandaplush
Faki Kuano is a self-taught surrealism and abstract artist from Waterloo Ontario, who fled Sudan due to the civil war and landed in Kitchener-Waterloo. He began to create art to cope with traumatic events he had faced back home. Painting on themes and influences in his life including the childhood escape from civil war that is deeply reflected in his paintings. Abstraction art and surrealism has allowed him to freely express his imagination while encouraging the viewers involvement and imagination.
In June 2022 he took the opportunity to paint a live mural during KWfamous's first Roller Disco pop-up series at the Kitchener Market. Later that month he was chosen by Curated. editor Mark Walton and guest curator Conan Stark to collaborate in an exhibition with three other artists. He was featured in an article of Canada’s upcoming artists, was a featured artist at KWFamous's Art-Hop, and Waterloo’s LUMEN Festival in 2022. He has also contributed his vision to The Beasting project at 44 Gaukel - Creative Workspace in Kitchener.
Ever since I graduated high school in 2013, I realized that whenever it came to teaching Black history, the majority, if not all the subjects were solely based on slavery. Teachers often emphasized negative aspects of African American life without noting the accomplishments, achievements and contributions of Black people in general. The lessons covered slavery and civil rights movements but dismiss figures like Mansa Musa, the richest man to ever live. Or legends like Yasuke, the first samurai warrior of feudal Japan.
I understand we need not forget about the suffering from the past, but we also need to know how great our contributions are to the world. It is vital and the benefits are many. Whenever art comes up in a conversation, we hear about the Van Goghs but never about artists like Edmonia Lewis. I want to change that by telling as many stories as I can about Black accomplishments through my artwork in whatever gallery, networking with many Black artists and organizations.
Black people are still in a lot of ways segregated from their roots and each other as well. I love that we can connect through music but the influence in music nowadays is misleading Black youth. When i look at social media, I don’t see as many Black leaders today as I would like to. I don’t see many spiritually enlightened Black people today. 80% of the celebrities being worshiped do not have good intentions for the future of Black youths. Guns and vulgar language are picked up before books. On the contrary, much has changed, like having the first Black president of the United States be Barack Obama. I believe now that our laws and ethics are no longer sitting decades behind.
The sacrifices Martin Luther, Nzinga Mbande, Blanche Bruce and many others made, from slavery to the senate, have not gone to waste. Black Futures to me means taking accountability for our slack as a society and prioritizing our abilities and putting plans to action. I can proudly say I see more and more efforts made worldwide to bring awareness to Black excellence in all genres and that brings me great hope for the future of Black people.
Black History Month is designed to make sure that there is representation. Not just for the month alone but for every month. I want Black history to be included in all studies of history, not a separate history. This exhibition is for me a safe space for us to express our experiences and know that we are just as important as any other artist, dead or alive.
Simone Patricia artist photo credit: Simone Patricia
Afro - Caribbean artist Simone Patricia is a contemporary artist from the Waterloo Region. Her expressive colour filled paintings pay homage to her African-Caribbean heritage/culture. Simone graduated with degrees in both Visual Arts and Education. Her works depict the diversity within the Afro community and focuses on the evolution of said community in a positive light whilst being Black. Imperfection is Simone's drive and motivation. Simone focuses on a combination of geometry and vibrancy to create fluidity and freedom within her works. Her hopes are that her viewers can understand and gain a positive perspective while being immersed in her various works.
When I think about displaying joy, I think about more than just portraying said feeling through expression. I believe that the use of colours, geometry and even paint strokes can evoke the feeling of joy through an artwork. It is important that throughout my works I use vibrant colours that reflect positive emotions and, brush strokes that intensify happiness and joy. Aside from adding specific elements of design to evoke happiness and joy, I make it a point to show said emotion through expression, poses, and even accessories I use within the works. In these works specifically, my goal was to portray Black Man Joy with simplicities.
For me Black Futures means Black excellence in every aspect, on every level. What we do now as artists, and just individuals; sets precedents for Black Futures. In other words, what we do should always be top tier. Something so “simple” as portraying black and brown faces in a positive light is extremely crucial for black futures. Our goal is to forever move forward and upward not backward. To reap the positives for Black Futures we first need to sow them. Nothing moves without Black Creativity.
I want the audience to feel and remember Black Man Joy and excellence. I want them to be reminded that there is beauty and joy that follows the simplicities. I want them to be reminded of these works in their everyday lives when seeing a bold stroke of colour, and smile. From these works I want the people to see and know that Black Futures are bright, joyful, and excellent. “Memories are feelings. If you don’t remember it you probably didn’t feel it.” – Erykah Badu
Interview by Glodeane Brown
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