2019 Transformation Stories
Renee McPherson
Former alien trying to figure this Earth thing out
My grown Inner Child
From pain to manifestation.
It’s about my inner child work. From pain to manifestation.
Sincerely Shy
Shiann Croft is a change agent to art and culture in the GTA, she uses poetry as her activism, transforming silence into words and radical action one poem at a time. The spoken word artist and writer has been poeting from ‘since she can remember’ and uses poetry as a catalyst in the healing and restoration of racialized communities.
When I first started adornment stories I was abruptly set free/fired from a well-paying job at the beginning of May and my world as I knew it was uprooted, this forced me to be brave, fearless and trust God, which is to trust myself. I didn’t know it then I was simply drawn to the concept but the veil for me represents the past and the present, the spirit world and the ancestors, my community. As I reflect on the journey I look at the 2019 vision board I created as well as this project and I say to myself “life is a bitch but I am a badder bitch, praise!”
SADE PETLELE
Sade is non-binary multidisciplinary artist and university student based in Toronto. They've lived in Oakland/California, Atlanta/Georgia and Johannesburg/South Africa, and living in these urban centres of black art inspired a lot of their creative growth. Their focus is using makeup and ink drawings to express cultural identity and history.
My project documents my journey to loving and learning myself after decades of creating an “acceptable self” for others. I tried and failed to become a person that would be “useful” and loved by friends, family, partners, acquaintances, and even strangers.
I realized that getting to know and love who I really am, and not who I thought people wanted, was the first step in healing. I had to destroy and “burn” the ideal image of who I thought I should be, in order to truly see myself. This year marks the beginning of me living my life authentically, fully accepting myself even if those around me might not.
Cilla Williams
Priscilla who gos by Cilla is a 23 year old Queer woman of colour and is a refined artist in her area of makeup arts as well as an emerging body painter. Her love for creating masterpieces with her hands has lead to a new journey of jewelry crystal wrapping. Being unable to express herself growing up cilla began to use her hands to create story and movement through art.
Season 23,
Ep 1
Jameka Grant
Born and Raised in Hamilton Jameka Grant's energetic signature is a Manifesting Generator. Her purpose is to empower the collective to choose to live life on purpose with love. As a mindfulness facilitator at Sister Cxrcle Collective, entrepreneur, writer and brand consultant she uses soul-coaching, art, and business to propel growth and assist women of colour in radiating their souls to own their glow up.
Overcoming Narcissistic abuse with the use of Honey, Tea, and Tears.
My project is about a Girl with Mommy Issues. Narcissistic Abuse created issues in my being, my relationship and life paths. I’d constantly project the wounds of the inner child to my husband and friends and to this day it affects the bonds we share. When I moved out of the home that housed my traumas birthed was my inner parent that walked down the path of grievance and resilience. Our trauma is not our fault but healing is our responsibility, i know we hear that a lot but it is true. What we don't heal in solitude we will project it on our loved ones. So here’s my projected with the intention to inspire women to allow stillness to speak.
Keosha Love
Keosha Love is a multi-disciplinary artist, activist and educator that intersects arts & wellness to empower women and promote positive health in BlPOC communities. As a writer, Keosha uses poetry for self-discovery, healing and promoting social awareness. She has graced many stages using spoken word to share vulnerable and untold stories. Keosha is a force with wings, dedicated to using her voice and empowering others to find theirs.
Embracing the Blues
A vital part of transformation is finding meaning in every experience. Life isn’t always crystal clear. Sometimes you feel great, sometimes you feel blue. But I’m learning to embrace both feelings and both experiences because lot of the transformation takes place in the dark. When things are great, we express that. So when shit gets hard, why not express that too. I have cried. I have felt alone. I have failed. Sometimes I feel tired. Sometimes I feel blue. Those parts of me are not less than and do not need to be hidden, because they matter too. This photo series encapsulates different states of feeling blue, validating that, owning that and ultimately, embracing that.
Middle
Middle, born Shaneen Cotterell is a Canadian artist born and raised in Toronto, Ontario Canada. Middle takes an alternative approach to modern day Hip hop and R&B bringing a unique twist and refreshing personality to the genres. Middle speaks on various topics and themes within her music with emphesis on highlighting the human experience from a perspective of a queer person of colour.
