Young queer artists in a former colonial outpost have built their project around the resilient and restorative nature of plants.
“We are planting a seed in the hope that the people who interact will be inspired to occupy more space, to create art, to integrate healing in spaces where they did not think it was possible, to really explore what it means to go through a process of recovery, “said TJ Banate, one of six young artist-in-residence involved in”Queering Place. “
The public art project invites visitors to tour an installation at Toronto’s Garrison Commons in Fort York beginning Oct. 5 and explore what it means to make a space, in this case, one deeply connected to the country’s colonial foundations. , is visibly strange.
“In a way, this project is also trying to bring healing to a space that historically can seem very problematic and bring a lot of pain to people for what it symbolizes,” said Bert Whitecrow, another member of all. queer collective.
It will have a medicinal garden planted and cared for in collaboration with the Force field Indigiqueer art installation that has just been completed in the same historic space and includes QR codes that visitors can use to access soundscapes and other audio treats.
The plan for the launch is, pandemic permitting, for residents and other guest artists to share visual art and perform drag, cabaret and spoken word.
What people are reading
The three young artists who spoke with National Observer of Canada It was recently agreed on the project that plants are inherently queer, and Whitecrow noted that they exist outside of the binary gender roles imposed by colonialism.
“They are very natural things, they don’t necessarily require that much attention as well. Sometimes they can just grow on their own, propagate themselves, they just reclaim space and thrive, sometimes … most of the time, “Whitecrow said.
The core group has been meeting twice a week since early May to conceptualize and then create the installation, and found the process of working in a specifically queer art community enriching.
“I find it really valuable,” said Maddie Lychek, another of the artists involved. “We all tended to make room for each other and hug each other with such care and tenderness.”
“I want people to feel seen from the project or to see a reflection of themselves. Perhaps a part of themselves that they have not yet allowed to show up, ”says Bert Whitecrow.
The group said they hope the work they are involved in will have a ripple effect and encourage others to undertake similar projects, and provide comfort to younger people who may not generally feel that way.
“I want people to feel seen from the project or to see a reflection of themselves. Maybe a part of themselves that they haven’t allowed to show up yet, ”Whitecrow said. “It’s a somewhat safe space for them to explore that part of themselves, especially for younger queers.”
The project and several others being created as part of Sketch’s Making With Place series are supported by the city. ArtworxTO: Year of Public Art 2021-2022 initiative, which will promote public art and creative communities over the next year.
Morgan Sharp / Local Journalism Initiative / Canada National Observer
Reference-www.nationalobserver.com