Painting A Future Without Oppression

 

On August 11th I had an amazing opportunity to paint a mural in Kensington Market. I got a chance to paint alongside some amazing, and talented black visual artists, and community members. Friends of Kensington Market (FOKM) organized a phenomenal project, ‘Painting A Future Without Oppression.’ The project featured 6 artists including myself, @curtia, @majesticbbydoll, @ehikoo, @aliatamarknowles, and @elim.ar.t. As artists, and as Black artists specifically, we were asked to imagine what a world without oppression would look like. We channeled that, and created something beautiful for our community.

I just wanted to take a second to say thank you to Friends of Kensington Market (FOKM),  Jaicyea, and the various volunteers that made the opportunity possible. It was such an amazing experience to paint alongside some talented change makers. A future without oppression looks like black families thriving, being free, and not being mistreated or killed because of their skin colour. 

This opportunity made me think about the 3 protesters that were arrested and charged on July 18th, in Toronto, for their protest. Their art demonstration consisted of throwing paint on the kkkolonized statues taking up space in Tkaronto. The fact that it took throwing paint on inanimate objects to get people to listen to the trauma that we are facing, as a community is disheartening. I am continuously trying to remind myself that my art is a protest, and is showing resilience in more ways than I can imagine. Throwing paint on the street is the bare minimum when we are continuously protesting for our lives, in our own way. During the day I was continuously asked, “what does a future without oppression look like?” or “what does a future for black people look like?” We want to simply exist without having to defend our skin colour, and we want to exist without being killed for our black skin.

 
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Freedom Mural By

Tiana Smith & Community

Drone Photos By

Michael Anthony

Digital Photos By

Hector Vasquez

Tiana Smith