I am a brown male A person you look at and tell your own fable and tale For you only see my cover and judge But you don’t know my chapter, my trilogy, My bloodclot saga, My anger boiled up more than uncontrollable lava. See lava represents my struggles with that anger I have towards the hustle, As a brown male living life is like a puzzle No 9-5 job, No Jordans on my feet No angels guarding my back And only demons in my sleep. So I work hard so my team can eat But numerous times I fail to meet And claim defeat In your head It’s like that’s the wasteman of the street. —Robin Pariagh
Art Gallery of York University (AGYU) presents Chronicles of the Outspoken: A Multimedia Art Event featuring a blog launch, a video screening, and performances by Success Beyond Limits.
Friday May 25th , 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Reception 6:00 – 7:00 pm, Martin Family Lounge,
219 Accolade East Building
Video Screening and Performances 7:00 – 8:00 pm,
Tribute Communities Recital Hall, 112 Accolade East Building
4700 Keele Street, Toronto
Visit the Chronicles of the Outspoken blog at:
www.theAGYUisOutThere.org/chronicles
On Friday May 25th, join us in celebrating the completion of Chronicles of the Outspoken, a multidisciplinary art program organized by the Art Gallery of York University (AGYU) for Success Beyond Limits youth. Over a five month period, SBL participants worked in partnership with a team of emerging and mid-career artists, experimenting with a variety of media including photography, video, spoken word poetry, and theater in order to tell the overlooked, unacknowledged, and forgotten stories of their community. The resulting artworks have been channelled into a collective blog, a video work, spoken word and dramatic performances, forming a compelling series of artistic testimonies, that chronicle the complexity and richness of growing up in the Jane and Finch community.
The work candidly portrays the harsh reality of youth living in and wanting to break free of poverty and their desire to not fall victim to violence. Demonstrating their determination to resist the temptation of the inner city hustle, these youth artists are united in their struggles and resolve to overcome socio-economic and racialized barriers. Celebrating the Jane and Finch community’s incredible strength and its unwavering commitment to its youth, these artists shed light on grassroots organizations such as Success Beyond Limits and demonstrate how it has been instrumental in empowering, supporting, and inspiring a new generation of young people.
Artist-Educators: Deanna Bowen, Funmilola Lawson, NomanzLand (Yasmin Ali, Khadija Sayaadi, Sun aka the Real Sun, Andrae Walsh, Eugenio Salas, and Truth Is…
Youth Artists: Abdikarim Abdi, Gabriela Aguilera, Kareem Bennett, Olando Blair, Peter Bunkuna, Akifa Forde, Titus Geday, Noella Gordon, Melonie Halasz, Princess Hoddinott, David Huynh, Kevin Jagrup, Noterlee Johnson, Khalid Khan, Saifullah Khan, Tyrone Manners, Javaunn Nembhard, Abdul Nur, Ose Okonofua, Robin Pariagh, Tennelle Russell, Jauvan Samuels, Deshawn Williams, and Nashana Zafis.
Support for this program has been provided by the Art Gallery of York University (AGYU), The Vital Toronto Fund at the Toronto Community Foundation, the Hal Jackman Foundation, the Ontario Arts Council – Artists in the Community/Workplace, York University Faculty Association Community Projects Committee, York University Staff Association, and the Graduate Student Association at York University.
