An exhibit of artworks is part of the month-long Kuumba celebration of Black History Month was featured at the Harbourfront Centre.
The works included video, photography predominantly black and white with splashes of colour, and even an impressive display of Lego sculptures composed of over 50,000 pieces, created by Canadian artist Ekow Nimako.
“When you look at the intricacy, it’s amazing how they’ve done it,” said Bharati Sapkota, a volunteer at the centre, while examining one of the many multimedia works featured at the exhibit.
Kuumba is, according to the Harbourfront Centre’s website, “Toronto’s longest running celebration of Black History Month.” It began on Feb. 1 and concludes on March 1. With numerous events and exhibits, there’s something happening everyday to catch the eye of anyone looking to celebrate the vast cultural history of the Black community.
Other artists featured include Krystal Ball, a Jamaican artist who created a mural for this year’s exhibit, and Toronto-based Yung Yemi, who contributed many photographic works.
“It’s really, very beautiful,” Saplota said of one particularly unique exhibit feature. There were four masks featuring beaded details and vivid colours enclosed in a glass case. These same masks were featured in some of the photographs at the exhibit.
The reception of the exhibit thus far has been consistent. Weekdays are slow, with people trickling in throughout the day, and things pick up on the weekend. According to Saplota, Wednesdays are particularly popular because of a recurring event called Wednesday Wellness. According to the information page on the event, Wellness Wednesdays are “a weekly safe space dedicated to wellness and self-care practices.”
Art and instruction on self-care aren’t the only things featured at Kuumba. There are also skate nights, film screenings and dance exhibits to entertain and educate curious spectators.
With racial issues and marginalization being at the forefront of social and political discussion, Kuumba contributes to the conversation and encourages others to do the same.