Jamii (Swahili for “community”) is an arts organization that supports young women from Toronto’s Esplanade community. This coming weekend, they’ll unveil WIsdoM ripples, a group exhibition that showcases contemporary photography, curated by nine young women.
Over the course of eight workshops, nine participants worked to select photos based on a curatorial vision they developed with guidance from Jamii founder Isorine Marc and artist Gillian Mapp. Through the exchange of ideas, perspectives and opinions, participants explored the “why” and “how” to present this exhibit to their community. WIsdoM ripples features the work of three Toronto-based photographers: Roya DelSol, Brianna Roye and Zahra Siddiqui.
We love promoting initiatives that support young women, especially ones that nurture leadership skills, build confidence, and amplify stories and experiences. We’re excited to see the work that will be unveiled on December 12th.
Happening at David Crombie Park (Corner of Sherbourne and Esplanade), this exhibit also invites Torontonians to explore this vibrant downtown neighbourhood. Take a walk through the stretch of well-used and loved urban space that sits south of Front Street between Jarvis and Berkeley Street—which is walking distance to both The Distillery and St. Lawrence Market.
Meet the featured photographers:
View this post on Instagram
Roya DelSol
Roya DelSol is a Black lens-based artist, curator & cultural worker currently living in T’karonto/Toronto. Creating motion work ranging from experimental documentaries to music videos, she aims for her work in all spheres to centre and uplift the experiences of Black, queer, and marginalized peoples. Past photographic work captures Black femme intimacies, strength, and joy in hopes of visualizing new, liberated worlds.
View this post on Instagram
Brianna Roye
Brianna Roye is a film photographer specializing in portraiture. A graduate of Humber’s photography program, she’s accumulated six years of experience where she’s extended her lens to Adidas, has had her work featured in publications like Maclean’s and FLARE, and has shot festivals including ManifesTO and Afropunk.
Inspired by her Jamaican roots, she uses her ongoing project, Out of Many, One People, to chronicle portraits of queer, Afro-Caribbean people. Using intention as a guiding principle, she strives towards a level of organicness in her imagery. “I try to take photos of people as they are. I like to capture people’s beauty and essence in as much as an honest way as I can,” she says. Hailing from Toronto’s west end, Roye is passionate about using her talent to tell stories and document underrepresented communities.
View this post on Instagram
Zahra Siddiqui
Toronto-based photographer and mixed media artist Zahra Siddiqui picked up the camera 10 years ago. Her archive of portraits, mixed media work, and community activations, have been focused on celebrating the existence of Black, Indigenous and People of Colour, 2SLGBTQ+, and those who live along the margins of society.
Zahra evolved from photography to the use of mixed media, experimenting with acrylic paint, textiles, and adornments as a way to create more layers of impact to her portraits. Zahra’s ultimate goal is to engage people through work that evokes questions, to wonder why she focused on these groups of people, and to be conscious of those humans who add so much value to the world, but are treated as though they’re Invisible.
By creating shared memorable arts-based experiences, Jamii is on a mission to bring Esplanadians closer together to form greater social cohesion and bonded community. Since 2011, Jamii has produced over 130+ events, engaged more than 700 people in creative processes, worked with over 200 artists, and reached 18,000+ audience members and 31,000+ exhibit viewers. Pretty impressive. Find out more and get involved.
Follow Us On Instagram
