After watching an episode of Fake or Fortune (on Van Dyke) I found myself asking why am I spending time on dead white men when there are so many BIPOC artists that are more interesting.
Heck, I personally have crossed paths socially with several Black visual artists and photographers in particular doing great work: Deanna Bowen, Michelle Pearson Clark, Syrus Marcus Ware, Karen Miranda Augustine and Winsome Winsome amongst others. Bowen has been longlisted for the 2021Â Scotiabank Photography Award which pleases me to no end.
I am glad to say that I was able to see some of their works in various Toronto galleries and museums just before the lockdown – it would seem that AGO and ROM are getting a clue at last. But when I am looking for the work of Black Artists I pop online to BAND Gallery in Toronto.
I, too, have dipped my toe into visual arts to as one of my photos is a part of the 2021 Workman Arts Being Scene exhibition. While is not my first exhibition (I was in the Witchfest Grimoire exhibition in 2018), I regard myself as an amateur artist at best. Still I am pleased to be one of the Black artists seen these days. When the plague lifts, I intend to do more work.
Kristine Maitland 