VIBE Arts is pleased to announce a collaboration with the Gardiner Museum’s 2019 Community Arts Space: What We Long For. VIBE is proud to contribute Hair We Are, one of six projects that seek to reconsider Toronto’s unique and varied local histories of art and social activism. The youth project will run from Thursday, July 11th to Wednesday, July 24th in The Gardiner’s Third Floor Exhibition Hall.
Beauty salons and barbershops have long served as special spaces in the Black community. They provide far more than hair care, acting as safe spaces for people to exchange stories and build community. Led by artist Igho Diana, community arts organization VIBE Arts will re-create a contemporary beauty salon that explores self-care and evolutionary concepts of beauty through time and culture.
About Hair We Are
Reflecting on selected ceramics from the Gardiner’s European earthenware and porcelain collections, including objects from the boudoir and female-only social spaces during the 15th– 18th century, the Youth Project will challenge racialized girls and young women to use their lived experiences to recontextualize and rethink historical objects as a means of bringing their own histories to the forefront.
Hair We Are will involve a series of self-care, hair care, and storytelling workshops with young women, at Art Starts’ main hub in Yorkdale Shopping Centre.
Hair We Are is led by VIBE artist Igho Diana of E.G.O. Initiative, which works to empower youth and Black women to practice a higher level of self-care while building community.
Lead artist: Igho Diana
Artists and Participants: Fatu Bachilly, Sutanya Samuels, Mya Mitchell, Ashley Adams, Samya Ally, Amina Barakzai, Ayesha Barakzai, Khadija Barakzai, Najaat Abdulla, Jaalle Gormu, Kianna Morga
Upcoming Events
Thursday, July 11 • 6 – 8 pm
In partnership with Art Starts, join us for the public opening of VIBE Arts’ Hair We Are, an exhibition re-creating a contemporary beauty salon environment exploring self-care and how concepts of beauty have evolved through time and culture. Mingle with the artists and collaborators, and enjoy music, youth artist-led tours, and refreshments.
Family Sunday: Self-Care Rituals
Sunday, Jul 14 • 11 am – 3 pm
Join us for a hands-on, self-care workshop facilitated by artist Igho Diana of Hair We Are. Attendees will learn how to make their very own body butter and hair care products using all-natural ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, and essential oils.
VIBE Arts acknowledges the tremendous support of The Gardiner Museum and the ongoing partnership of Art Starts in making this project possible.
