Beyond the Rhythm - The Association of African Canadian Artists

Beyond the Rhythm
2009

2 | beyond the rhythm
The Association of African-Canadian Artists (AACA) is a not-for-profit
organization dedicated to the support, development and sharing of works
of art produced by artists of African Canadian heritage. The main goal of the
AACA is to introduce this art into the mainstream Canadian market.
COLOURblind is the AACA annual, juried, theme exhibition that launches
each year in conjunction with Toronto’s Caribana Festival. The largest cultural
festival in North America.
beyond the rhythm
It’s the rhythm of our journey that has kept us alive,
it’s our strength as a people that helped us survive.
It’s more than the rhythm that set us free,
we are more than what you imagine us to be.
We are people proud of who we are,
and all that we have accomplished thus far.
We do more than play ball, bop and jive,
we have achieved much more in our lives.
We are artists, writers and teachers too,
read about us in the pages of who’s who.
Doctors, Scientists and Inventors - that’s what we are,
in spite of the obstacles we have come so far.
Business owners and corporate CEO’s,
actors and director’s of Broadway shows.
Houses in the country, condos downtown,
mega yachts floating leisurely in the sound.
We are proud mothers, fathers and children who,
have hopes and dreams for our families too.
We have soul food Sundays, with homemade pies,
backyard picnics under sunny skies.
Moonlight cruises, walks at sunrise,
friendly gatherings for traditional fish fry’s.
Our heritage is rich with stories yet untold,
our lives continue to unfold.
We are people of courage, faith, hope and will,
with many more dreams yet to be fulfilled.
Discover - who - dwells - Beyond the Rhythm.
Joan Butterfield

Joe Halstead
The celebration of Caribbean arts and culture, through the
festivities of Scotiabank Caribana, is a defining feature of our
multicultural city.
Like our city, Scotiabank Caribana has grown in confidence and
stature. The maturation of our festival has allowed us to offer
revellers a wider range of cultural offerings. We understand that
the talent and creativity of Caribbean artists is not exclusive to
the colour and sound of mas, the steel pan and calypso that is
widely associated with “parade” day and related events.
Beyond the Rhythm is the Scotiabank Caribana Visual Art
Exhibition. The Art Exhibition is in its third year and is a visual
art presentation of 50 works on canvass, which celebrates our
survival and accomplishments beyond the bounds of hardship
and sorrow.
The exhibit is on display from July 23rd to August 3rd, 2009
at the Royal Ontario Museum, one of our continuing institutional
sponsors.
The Royal Ontario Museum, Canada’s largest and the fifth
largest museum in North America is world renowned for world
culture and natural history. The quality of the art exhibition and
the majesty of the venue make this show a growing highlight of
the line-up of Scotiabank Caribana events.
The show consists of 50 large 3’x4’ canvases, created by
twenty-five artists — 11 male and 14 female — ranging in age
from the 20’s to the 60’s — half of the artists born outside of
Canada — Caribbean, Africa, England, and America. Each of the
works were created to the poem “Beyond the Rhythm” written
by the exhibit curator Joan Butterfield.
I want to thank Scotiabank for its expanded partnership,
participation and contribution to the overall festivities. The
African Canadian art on display would not receive the exposure
that the Beyond the Rhythm visual art exhibition provides to these
talented artists without Scotiabank’s committed support.
Thanks to our viewing audience for taking the time to visit. I
am quite certain that you will appreciate the unsung brilliance
of the art on display.
Enjoy!
Joe Halstead,
Chairman and CEO
Festival Management Committee
Scotiabank Caribana 2009
beyond the rhythm | 3

Rick Waugh
As Canada’s most international bank, as well as the leading
bank in the Caribbean, Scotiabank is proud to support
the Caribana Festival in celebrating Toronto’s magnificent
cultural diversity. And we’re excited to see the richness of
the Caribbean experience reflected in Beyond the Rhythm, a
visual art exhibition at the Royal Ontario Museum.
4 | beyond the rhythm
The arts have extraordinary power to enrich our lives,
as individuals and as a community. Scotiabank is a strong
supporter of arts and cultural programming in the locations
we serve, in some 50 countries around the world. This includes
27 countries in the Caribbean and Central America, where we
are marking 120 years of service in 2009.
We believe the arts should remain accessible to as many
people as possible, and that emerging local talent must be
encouraged to flourish — through exhibits such as Beyond the
Rhythm, which features 50 creations by 25 talented artists,
inspired by a poem written by the curator, Joan Butterfield.
We hope you have a wonderful time at Scotiabank Caribana
2009, and enjoy the Caribana Art Exhibit.
Rick Waugh
President & Chief Executive Officer
Scotiabank

Joan Butterfield
The Association of African Canadian Artists is proud to present
Beyond the Rhythm a visual art exhibit of fifty works on canvas
— celebrating our survival and accomplishments beyond the
boundaries of hardship and sorrow.
Heartfelt thanks to Joe Halstead and my fellow FMC partners
for once again affording us the opportunity to produce the
Scotia Caribana Visual Art Exhibit.
To the Royal Ontario Museum — thanks for welcoming us
back into the halls of this great institute.
This years exhibit consists of 50 large works, created by
twenty-five artists — 11 male and 14 female — ranging in age
from the 20’s to the 60’s.
Selection of final works was a two-stage process. The first
was by a jury of the artists’ peers and their choice was then
viewed by an independent jury of art lovers.
I salute the twenty-five artist who produced this extraordinary
collection — you occupy a special place in my heart and I do
believe your work and commitment to this project will indeed
have a significant impact on Canadian Art.
It is my hope that you — the viewing audience, will indeed
discover “Who dwells beyond the Rhythm”.
Regards,
Joan Butterfield — Art Director/Curator
Association of African Canadian Artists
Festival Management Committee — Board Member
Scotiabank Caribana 2009
beyond the rhythm | 5

William Thorsell
The Royal Ontario Museum is pleased to be participating
in Scotiabank Caribana 2009, one of the largest and most
spectacular annual celebrations held in the city of Toronto.
The ROM had the pleasure of being involved in last year’s
festival, and is especially delighted to have been invited again,
to collaborate on this year’s art installation Beyond the Rhythm:
Caribana Art Exhibit.
6 | beyond the rhythm
As one of the world’s great museums, the ROM strives
to engage the public, as well as to reflect the heritage of
its visitors, through its diverse galleries, exhibitions and
programming. Our Shreyas and Mina Ajmera Gallery of Africa,
the Americas and Asia-Pacific, which opened just over one year
ago, features hundreds of objects that represent the artistic
and cultural traditions of peoples from Africa, the American
continents, the Asia-Pacific region and Oceania. Beyond the
Rhythm: Caribana Art Exhibit will provide a wonderful addition
to our summer offerings. While celebrating the rich cultural
heritage of Canadians of Caribbean and African descent, this
vibrant assemblage of artworks — all on canvas — also speaks
to their struggles, survival, and accomplishments and will, no
doubt, have deep resonance for our many visitors.
We look forward to welcoming visitors from around the world
for Toronto’s Caribana festivities. The ROM belongs to you.
William Thorsell
Director &CEO
Royal Ontario Museum

Beyond the
Rhythm
8 Deniece James
9 Izzy Ohiro
10 Sonia Farquharson
11 Ken Daley
12 Joy Andre
13 Angela Haynes
14 Leslie C. Williams
15 Charmaine Lurch
16 Dion Fitzgerald
17 Anna Maria Dickinson
18 Asha Aditi Ruparelia
19 Philemon Campbell
20 Nicole Peña
21 David Vasquez
22 Cheryl Rock
23 Stephen Taylor
24 Jason O’Brien
25 Kwame Delfish
26 Ingrid Pascal & Donnet Maria
27 Donna Guerra & Wayne Hanson
28 Janet Rose Manning & Kathy Moscou
29 Reginald Harmon
beyond the rhythm | 7

denIeCe JAmeS
www.deniecejgallery.
carbonmade.com
Thick by Nature
8 | beyond the rhythm
Born in Toronto my works are greatly infl uenced by the print media methods
of both the African and Western worlds. Recently received a Bachelor of Arts
degree in Art and Art History at the University of Toronto.
Three Strands Not Broken

My work focuses on inner beauty, festivity and celebration. I work primarily
in oil because of its luster and sensual qualities, creating layers of simple
colors, shapes, and exciting movements. I am originally from Nigeria, but
have embraced various cultures over the years. All of which have infl uenced
my art.
Beyond the Rhythm – Impartation
Tranquil Moment
IZZy ohIro
www.izzyohiro.com
Beyond the Rhythm – Compassion
beyond the rhythm | 9

SonIA FArQuhArSon
www.soniafarquharson.com
No Limitations
Dream to Reality
10 | beyond the rhythm
My paintings are visual representations of everyday people and historical
fi gures from around the world that have inspired me and I hope will help to
inspire everyone to fi ght for racial equality around the world.
Beyond Our Imaginations

Ken was raised in Cambridge, Ontario. His parents immigrated to Canada
from the Caribbean Island of Dominica. Ken developed a love for the arts-
painting, dance, and music from an early age.
Sunday Morning
Ken dALey
First Day of School
www.kendaley.ca
beyond the rhythm | 11

Joy Andre
Letters To Our Children — Angel
12 | beyond the rhythm
Joy Andre was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario. Joy works with acrylic
paints, text as an art form, and explores texture on canvas to symbolically
represent the strength, struggle and spirit of people of the African
Diaspora.
Letters To Our Children — King
Letters To Our Children — Royalty

Big Bold & Beautiful — One
Big Bold & Beautiful — Two
AnGeLA hAyneS
Born in London, England, my work is infl uenced by the inspirational essence
of the body, mind and spirit. I use texture and vibrant shades to portray the
body as a site of expressive movement, emotion and strength.
Big Bold & Beautiful — Three
www.Angela-Haynes.com
beyond the rhythm | 13

LeSLIe C. WILLIAmS
www.les.williams.com
14 | beyond the rhythm
Leslie C. Williams is an architectural designer, artist and sculptor, his versatility
in art is best indicated by the quality of his work in the various mediums — oils,
pastels, copper and charcoal sketches.
In Her Garden Going Fishing

ChArmAIne LurCh
Charmaine’s canvases are a narrative on cultural histories; I have always been
inspired by music. When I paint I surround myself with all kinds of music, it
helps me to choose colours and create lines.
Germination
Fruition
www.charmainelurch.com
beyond the rhythm | 15

dIon FItZGerALd
www.dvyneart.com
16 | beyond the rhythm
I am infl uenced by and produce work with a heavy emphasis on light & shadow,
Black iconography and negative space. I attempt to balance these elements
in the most simplistic and stylish manner. My hope is that through the usage
of space and fl at tone, the viewers eyes are compelled throughout the entire
canvas area and the shapes that are defi ned within it.
Malcolm X MLK
Ali (The Greatest)
A

AnnA-mArIA dICKInSon
I was born with a creative soul. Oil is my medium of choice, and my main
focus is my love for the vibrancy, rhythm and colour of the people and places
of the Caribbean where I was born.
Last Lap — The Party is Over My Father’s Hands — Survival
www.sunshineartgallery.ca
beyond the rhythm | 17

AShA AdItI ruPAreLIA
www.ashaditi.com
Hopeful Beginning
18 | beyond the rhythm
Much of my work is inspired by the journey of my own life, culture, traditions
and heritage. I feel extremely connected to the time and places to which I
have lived and from time and time drawn back to fi nding a way to interpret
those elements into my art of expressing the never-ending beauty I fi nd within.
It enriches the shapes the ways I see colour, design in artistic creativity and
inspires the work that I have yet to begin.
Bridging Generation Gap African Dance in the Diaspora

PhILemon CAmPbeLL
Self-taught artist Philemon Campbell was born in St. Andrew in a rural village
named Content Gap in the Blue Mountains on the island of Jamaica. He was
awestruck by the lush, misty landscape and rugged peaks around him and
was passionate about nature which inspired him to start painting in 1983.
The Promise
Time-Out
Transformation
www.philemonstudio.com
beyond the rhythm | 19

nICoLe PeÑA
www.nicolepena.com
Ascension
20 | beyond the rhythm
Nicole Peña is an award-winning artist and over the past ten years has exhibited
in several solo and group shows in Toronto, New York City, Port of Spain, and
Hamilton, Bermuda. In many of her paintings, Peña depicts entranced everyday
people who are seduced into spiritual and psychic reveries. “In these works,”
she explains, “rhythm liberates the body and frees the spirit.” Peña, a Jamaican
born Canadian who graduated from York University with an Honours Degree
in Fine Arts is proud to be a part of ColourBlind —though she speaks for many
when she says, “I don’t want my art to be defi ned solely by my race.”

dAVId VASQueZ
Much of David’s paintings refl ect his Dominican background with fusion of
Indian, African and Spanish cultures. David’s paintings can be found in the
Museum of Ottawa of Canadian Civilization.
Who We Are 1
Who We Are 2
www.davidvart.com
beyond the rhythm | 21

CheryL roCK
www.cherylrock.com
The NEW Epiphyte
Aerophyte
22 | beyond the rhythm
Cheryl Rock’s work is inspired by the knowledge of her ancestors and her desire
to create dialogue with an audience. Her mixed media pieces document the
essence of the experiences of people, whose roots are steeped in Caribbean
and African heritage.
LITHOphyte: MAN-I-Fest Your Destiny
1734: Re-Connection

StePhen tAyLor
Stephen has illustrated numerous children’s book for both Canadian and the
USA market. Stephen also creates fi ne art using mediums such as pastel,
graphite, coloured pencil and acrylic. His work can be found in numerous
corporate and private collections.
Pioneers of Achievement
www.stephentaylorart.com
beyond the rhythm | 23

KWAme deLFISh
Drawing inspiration from life experiences and culture, Kwame allows human
emotion to take shape through bold vibrant colours. Moods take form through
the accentuated body language of fi gures.
Components Pt.1
www.kwamedelfi sh.com
beyond the rhythm | 25

InGrId PASCAL
I graduated from Dawson College, majoring in Illustration and Design. Since
then I have done freelance work including a series of greeting cards for Our
image Greeting Cards and participated in the Power of Expression Art Auction.
Currently, I have been commissioned for artwork at various elementary schools
in the GTA in order to promote self awareness.
donnet mArIA
www.donnetmaria.com
26 | beyond the rhythm
Voice of a People – Evolved
Exposed to intense artistic impressions of the Parisian landscape Donnet
returned from France and submersed herself in art. The European landscape
and culture left an indelible mark on the artist and her work. This intense
creativity proved instrumental in opening a new chapter in her life. Artistically
inclined from an early age, Donnet began painting in 1995, although self
taught her work conveys passion and is a direct result of imprints of her
life’s expression.
Glorious Triumph

donnA GuerrA (iam mai)
Out of the need to release stress and recapture the creativity that had long
been stifl ed, iam mai began to experiment with visual arts. This led her into
an arena where she was a novice — painting. iam mai discovered that with a
paintbrush in her hand she was able to express and experiment freely. This
ignited a new passion that was at her disposal wherever and whenever needed.
So iam mai is introducing the very expressive, artistic, creative and sometimes
poetically lyrical side of herself in her new works on her new website.
WAyne hAnSon
Inspired by the Creator and the Creation, Wayne Hanson captures strength
and beauty of people and nature in both his original paintings and
photographs.
His new series in oil, Inspired by Light, urges the viewer to delve deeper
into the light in their own lives.
Destinations
Mama’s Pickney
www.introducingme.ca.
www.art-by-hanson.com
beyond the rhythm | 27

JAnet roSe mAnnInG
Gifted Mind
Self taught artist, born and raised in Toronto, Canada with a Jamaican
background. I’m inspired by directions of my personal life, thoughts and
emotions. My interpretation of art is articulated through movement and
imagination. I believe art should be analyzed for a few minutes, therefore
revealing the story.
KAthy moSCou
28 | beyond the rhythm
Trained at the High School of Music & Art in New York City, Kathy’s original
renderings are very excitedly expressed and presented in oil, watercolors and
mixed media. They vividly portray her African and American heritage and
stimulate a wide range of emotions in all people because all cultures can relate
to positive family interactions and intergenerational relationships.
From Montgomery to
the Whitehouse

eGInALd hArmon
Performing and Visual Artist — At an early age, Harmon’s talents were
recognized and cultivated in both Music and Art. Harmon received his
formal Arts training from the Dayton Art Institute, Central State University
and Historical Black University, and New York’s prestigious Fashion Institute
of Technology. (Visiting artist from the USA)
Our Journey Unveiled
Meeting At The River
www.infi niteconceptsllc.com
beyond the rhythm | 29

Joy Andre Philemon
Campbell
Sonia
Farquharson
30 | beyond the rhythm
Ken Daley Kwame Delfish
Dion Fitzgerald Donna Guerra Wayne Hanson Reginald Harmon
Angela Haynes Deniece James Charmaine Lurch Janet Rose
Manning
Kathy Moscou
Cheryl Rock
Anna Maria
Dickinson
Donnet Maria
Jason O’Brien Izzy Ohiro Ingrid Pascal Nicole Peña
Asha Aditi
Ruparelia
Stephen Taylor David Vasquez Leslie C. Williams

Joan Butterfield has created and curated exhibitions for numerous
organizations, fortune 500 companies and educational institutions
throughout Canada and the United states.
Just some of the Corporations that have hosted exhibits curated by Joan,
Purolator, Johnson & Johnson, York University, Coca Cola, City of Toronto,
City of Hamilton, Baltimore City Hall, Brampton City Hall, TRW, BMO,
CIBC, Central State University, Scotia Bank, CCAH, Congressional Black
Caucus Foundation Inc, Canadian Human Rights Commission, Heritage
Mississauga, Burlington Art Centre, Royal Ontario Museum and the City
of Oakville.
About
the
CurAtor
Joan’s goal is to produce accessible and engaging art exhibits that raise
awareness and stimulate dialogue.
“It is my belief that a work of art is not complete until it has been presented,
admired and acquired” — Joan Butterfield
beyond the rhythm | 31

COLOURblind
Association of
African-Canadian Artists
9 meridian road
brampton, ontario
Canada L6S 3P9
tel: 905-458-8289
Fax: 905-792-0959
toll free: 1-877-233-6517
www.colour-blind.ca
colourblindexhibit@yahoo.com
Curator: Joan butterfi eld
tel: 905-458-8289
Cell: 416-230-8615
joanbutterfi eld@rogers.com
www.joanbutterfi eld.com
Beyond the Rhythm
2009