February 4th – 26th, 2023
OPENING RECEPTION SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4th, 1-3PM
“Honouring and amplifying the beauty that is expressed through natural hair. This is a reminder for Black women and to the world, that we belong in every room we enter”.
Scugog Arts presents “CROWN” a group show featuring the artwork of Joy Martyr-André, Reisha Felix, and Aisha Chiguichon.
This show is inspired by the CROWN ACT. The CROWN Act was created in 2019 by Dove and the CROWN Coalition, in partnership with then State Senator Holly J. Mitchell of California to ensure protection against discrimination surrounding race-based hairstyles. The act extended statutory protection to hair texture and protective styles such as braids, locs, twists, and knots in the workplace and public schools.
We strongly encourage you learn more about the CROWN act at www.thecrownact.com
Meet the Artists!
Joy Martyr-André
“I am reclaiming and rediscovering myself as an artist. Returning to creating after approximately a decade, painting this series represents a reconnecting to my artist identity.
Reisha Felix
“I am a self – taught artist with a focus on acrylic painting. I gain artistic inspiration from all that I deem beautiful including Black women and their versatile hair.
Black hair has never just been another body part. Throughout Black History, hair has been art, identity, empowerment, resistance, survival and beauty. I use my Caribbean upbringing and love for texture to influence how I showcase the intricacies of Black hairstyles – one of my treasures that I celebrate on canvas”.
Aisha Chiguichon
Aisha Chiguichon is a self-taught artist whose style and techniques have evolved over many years. She earned a certificate in Art and Design to further hone her skills. She uses her Caribbean upbringing as inspiration for some of the subject matter for her work. The bright, colourful and vibrant culture of the Caribbean is where she finds the inspiration for the colour schemes for all of her work. She produces her work mainly as acrylic on canvas, but also works in other formats including fine art prints, acrylic on wood and paper. Among her artistic accomplishments, her work has most notably featured on the Cable talk show “Women on the Rise” as the set mural backdrop for both seasons. She has also been commissioned for outdoor community art projects. Her artwork has been exhibited in several Juried and group art shows in galleries in the Ontario Region as well as in private collections internationally.
You can see CROWN at the Scugog Arts Space from February 4th – 26th, 2023. Be sure to join us for the opening reception on Saturday, February 4th from 1-3PM. Meet the artists, browse the work, and enjoy light refreshments including sweets provided by the Nutty Chocolatier!