COSMIC NORTHSIDE CONFERENCE | Astrosankofa Arts

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The Cosmic Northside - Afrofuturistic Canadian Art Conference (ACAC) is a bilingual, three-day celebration from October 18-20, 2024, in the nation’s capital.The event will honour the legacy of Afrofuturism in Canada with engaging presentations, live music, mixed reality exhibitions, and interactive activities that explore theintersections of artificial intelligence (AI), Sci-Fi fantasy, and Pan-Africanism. Attendees will experience a fusion of S.T.E.A.M (Science Technology Engineering Art Mathematics/Metaphysics) innovation and contemporary practices that envision a future rooted in land sovereignty, solidarity and equality.

The conference is presented by ASTROSANKOFA Arts Initiatives (ASAI), in partnership with the National Gallery of Canada. It is planned by Hors Pair Social and supported by the Black Speculative Arts Movement (BSAM) and the Ottawa Black Arts Kollectiv (OBAK). Funded by the Government of Canada’s Department of Culture and Heritage and the Canada Council for the Arts, the ACAC will feature discussions, workshops, performances, digital art displays and an interactive robot that will create emphasis on intersectionality and the power of creative expression in shaping tomorrow’s world.

“This gathering is the new moon for the Canadian art scene, signaling that the healing of Canada’s past relations with Black and Indigenous people can begin, and a better path forward can be explored. It celebrates expanding Black representation, championing innovation, and growing the Afrofuturism movement as part of Canada’s art legacy.” — Quentin VerCetty, Director, ASTROSANKOFA Arts Initiatives.

“The Gallery is thrilled to support our partners who are bringing this important dialogue on Afrofuturism to Ottawa. Featuring artists from across Canada exploring past, present and future imaginaries of global pertinence, the goals of Cosmic Northside align with the values and curatorial priorities of the NGC whose programming resonates with the work of a number of the conference’s participants. This includes Kapwani Kiwanga who is presently representing Canada on the world stage at the 2024 Venice Biennale, and Camille Turner whose 2022 video installation Nave was recently acquired for our collection. We look forward to amplifying their thoughts and ideas, as well as those of so many other creative practitioners from and within the Black Canadian community at the Gallery this October.” —Jonathan Shaughnessy, Director, Curatorial Initiatives at the National Gallery of Canada.

The Cosmic Northside - Afrofuturistic Canadian Art Conference seeks to explore the future of the Black community beyond the UN International Decade for People of African Descent (2014-2028). The conference aims to elevate and expand the public perception of Afrofuturism as an integral part of Canada’s art heritage and culture, celebrating its evolution and impact through creative partnerships, insightful conversations, and collective participation.

Single-day tickets and full conference passes are available on Eventbrite:

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COSMIC NORTHSIDE AFROFUTURIST HIGHLIGHT

Charles R. Saunders

Charles R. Saunders (1946–2020) was an African-American author and journalist best known for pioneering the "sword and soul" genre, which blends African culture and mythology with traditional sword-and-sorcery fantasy. Born in Pennsylvania and later moving to Canada, Saunders created the character Imaro, a powerful warrior whose adventures are set in a richly imagined African-inspired world. His work challenged the Eurocentric norms of fantasy literature and provided a platform for African diasporic stories. Saunders also wrote essays and worked as a journalist, contributing to discussions on race, culture, and history. His innovative contributions have left a lasting impact on fantasy literature.

Adeyemi Adegbesan

Adeyemi Adegbesan is a Toronto-based multi-disciplinary artist whose practice aims to examine the intersectionality of Black identity. Reflecting on Black cultural ideologies from pre-colonial, colonial, present day and future timelines; across regions, religions, varying levels of income and political lines, Adegbesan examines the dichotomy of the richness of Black experiences with the imposed societal homogeneity of ‘Blackness’. Through his work Adegbesan pulls from these varying elements to create Afro-futuristic portraits that embody themes of history, fantasy, speculative futures, and spirituality.

Camille Turner

Camille Turner is an artist/scholar whose work combines Afrofuturism and historical research. Her most recent explorations confront the entanglement of what is now Canada in the transatlantic trade in Africans. She puts into practice Afronautics, a methodological frame she developed to approach colonial archives from the point of view of a liberated future. Camille is a graduate of OCAD and has recently completed a PhD at York University’s Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change. Currently, she is a Provost’s postdoctoral fellow at University of Toronto’s Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design. Turner is the recipient of the 2022 Artist Prize by the Toronto Biennial of Art. Her artworks are held in museums and public and private collections including: National Gallery of Canada, Art Museum at University of Toronto, Art Gallery of Hamilton, Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, Canada Council Art Bank, Royal Bank of Canada, Museum London, The Wedge Collection and The Rooms.

Danilo Deluxo McCallum

Danilo Deluxo McCallum is an award-winning Toronto-based multidisciplinary artist, graphic designer, muralist, and cultural curator. His creative practice explores the multiplicities of Black identity through the lens of Afrofuturism. He has been working collaboratively with arts organizations, artists, and communities in Toronto for more than 15 years and is probably best known for “Patterns of the People”, part of the iconic “Toronto” sign in Nathan Phillips Square. Danilo is the curator of ArtworxTO’s northwest hub of the Year of Public Art. As well as curating a massive BIPOC mural on the Downsview Supply Depot, Danilo is painting the XOXO Downsview Ulysses Curtis mural on the former Downsview Fire Station.

Jahnoy Lindsay

Jahnoy Lindsay is a Canadian illustrator and artist recognized for his vibrant and dynamic work that often explores themes of identity, culture, and the human experience. Based in Toronto, Lindsay has developed a unique style that blends elements of traditional and contemporary art, using bold colors, intricate details, and expressive characters. His illustrations have been featured in various publications, and he has collaborated with well-known brands and companies, making a significant impact in the fields of illustration and visual storytelling.

Jamal Campbell

Jamal Campbell (aka Campbell-Pryce) is a freelance illustrator and comic book artist. He broke into the industry doing covers for Marvel Comics, but in 2019 he illustrated the award-winning series, Naomi, with author Brian Michael Bendis–which has recently been optioned for a television series. Later that year, he began illustrating the Green Lantern-related series Far Sector for DC Comics.

Kapwani Kiwanga

Kapwani Kiwanga is a Canadian-French artist and filmmaker known for her interdisciplinary work that explores themes of history, memory, and power structures. Born in Hamilton, Ontario, Kiwanga studied anthropology and comparative religion, which deeply influences her art practice. She creates installations, films, and performances that investigate the legacies of colonialism and the ways in which history is constructed and remembered. Kiwanga's work often employs archival material and research, blending fact and fiction to challenge conventional narratives. Her thought-provoking pieces have been exhibited internationally, earning her several awards and recognition as a leading contemporary artist.

Komi Olafimihan

Komi Olafimihan is a visual artist, poet, and architectural designer based in Toronto, Ontario. Known for his exploration of Afrofuturism, Olafimihan integrates African and African diasporic cultures with contemporary technology in his art. He earned a Master of Architecture degree from Carleton University in 2009, focusing on improvisation in architecture through a study of the Makoko floating city in Lagos, Nigeria. Olafimihan’s work is characterized by the principles of improvisation, assemblage, and collage, influencing his painting, poetry, and design. He manages Studio-laf and continues to innovate through his diverse creative practices.

Jimmy Baptiste

Jimmy Baptiste is a father, youth educator/facilitator, graphic artist, curator and muralist. His work is inspired by the imaginative world of tattoos, graffiti, typography, manga culture, and comic books. These elements have helped him to develop a unique aesthetic that embraces strong imageries and vibrant visual compositions. With more than 15 years of experience as a professional artist, Jimmy offers art workshops and creative projects that include curated exhibits and community-media projects. With his unique approach to education, he aims to build a sense of ownership and belonging in schools and communities, using murals and graffiti to engage people of all ages in a positive skill-building experience.

Minister Faust

Minister Faust is an award-winning novelist, award-winning print journalist, radio host-producer, television host and associate producer, sketch comedy writer, video game writer, playwright, and poet. He has spoken and taught workshops widely.

AJA Louden

AJA Louden is an artist whose work challenges perceptions of the history and culture of unsanctioned public art.In working with marginalized communities to create public art murals that reflect their stories, Louden has built meaningful connections with youth, Elders, historians and Knowledge Keepers. His community-engaged murals can be found at Boyle Street Community Services, Old Strathcona Youth Society, the Alberta Rural Development Network, Capilano Skate Park, Edmonton City Centre and in other cities across Alberta and Europe.Louden actively gives back to the community by mentoring emerging artists and youth. He has worked with organizations including the Whyte Museum of Canadian Rockies, MacEwan University and the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights to help remove barriers for young artists.

Quentin VerCetty

Winner of the 2020 Joshua Glover Memorial competition, Quentin VerCetty (Lindsay) is a multi-award-winning, multidisciplinary visual griot, artpreneur, educator, artivist, and an ever-growing interstellar tree. With a Bachelor's in Fine Arts from OCADU University (2017) and a Master's in Art Education from Concordia University (2021), he is one of the world's leading Afrofuturist a/r/tographers. Through his scholarly work, he has coined the terms Sankofanology and Rastafuturism while creatively he exhibits imaginative futures of Blackness representation.VerCetty is the co-editor of Canada’s first Afrofuturism art anthology, Cosmic Underground Northside: An Incantation of Black Canadian Speculative Discourse and Inner standings (2020), which features works from over 100 Black Canadians. Through his work, he hopes to engage minds, inspire hearts, and help to make the world a better place not only for today but for many tomorrows to come.

Stylo Starr

Stylo Starr is a Jamaican-Canadian collage artist whose work centers nature, fantasy, and notions of the Afrofuture. She is an emerging curator and arts educator with interests in exploring hand-cut collage as a grounding and healing creative modality. stylo lives and works in her hometown of Hamilton, Ontario.

Witch Prophet

Witch Prophet (Ayo Leilani) is a Canadian-Ethiopian/Eritrean singer, songwriter, and producer based in Toronto. She is known for her unique sound that blends hip-hop, soul, R&B, and electronic music with influences from her African heritage. Her introspective and spiritual lyrics often explore identity, ancestry, and self-discovery themes.Her critically acclaimed album DNA Activation (2020) was shortlisted for the Polaris Music Prize, earning praise for its exploration of African diaspora themes. As a co-founder of the music collective 88 Days of Fortune, Witch Prophet has also been a key figure in Toronto's music scene, supporting and collaborating with other artists. She is celebrated for creating music that is both deeply personal and culturally resonant, establishing herself as a distinctive voice in contemporary music.

Allie Sherlock

Allie Sherlock is an Irish singer, songwriter, and musician who gained fame through her street performances on Dublin's Grafton Street, starting at a young age. Born in 2005, she became an internet sensation when a video of her singing went viral, leading to millions of followers on YouTube and social media. Known for her powerful voice and emotive performances, Allie has since appeared on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" and performed internationally. Despite her young age, Allie Sherlock has made a significant impact in the music industry, admired for her vocal talent and genuine, relatable style.

Lateef Martin

Lateef Martin is multidisciplinary artist, including illustration, writing, musician game design, cosplay and voiceover. His company Miscellaneum Studios centres Black, Indigenous, people of colour, the LGBTQ+ community, the neurodivergent and disabled in its stories. It currently publishes Z'isle, a comic book series set in Montreal seven years after a zombie apocalypse and a music theatre performance tied to the comic called Abdul Lateef and the Distraction Machine. A music-based puzzle game is also in development.

Ekow Nimako

Ekow Nimako is a Ghanaian-Canadian artist renowned for his intricate and imaginative sculptures made entirely from LEGO bricks. Born in Ghana and raised in Canada, Nimako uses LEGO as a medium to explore themes of Afrofuturism, Black identity, and African mythology. His work often features fantastical creatures, futuristic cities, and reimagined African histories, blending the past, present, and future in compelling ways. Nimako's sculptures have been exhibited internationally, and he is celebrated for pushing the boundaries of LEGO as an art form, creating powerful narratives that resonate with audiences and challenge perceptions of art and culture.

Tawhida Tanya Evanson

Tawhida Tanya Evanson is a Canadian poet, novelist, artist and Ashiq known for her innovative work blending poetry, orality, music and multimedia. Born and based in Tiohtià:ke/Montréal, she performs internationally, has produced four audio recordings, six short films and the award-winning 2024 Afrofuturist concert film CYANO SUN SUITE. Evanson has two published poetry collections and her debut novel Book of Wings won the 2022 CAM/Blue Metropolis New Contribution Prize. Her French autotranslation Livre des ailes was published in 2023. Evanson's work explores themes of African diasporic identity, Sufi spirituality and the human condition, and she has received acclaim at home and abroad for her captivating performances and unique approach to poetry. She produces multimedia events as Mother Tongue Media, is recognized for her role as director of the Banff Centre Spoken Word program and is current president of the Quebec Writers' Federation. She moonlights as a whirling dervish.

Maliciouz

Painter and muralist, MALICIOUZ is a Montrealer of Haitian descent known for her numerous pieces presenting women as entities of monumental scale. From the streets to the canvas, her style stands out thanks to the strong spirit emanating from her characters.

Sylkie Sly

Sylkie Sly, a multi-disciplinary artist based in Montreal, combines her talent in artistic make-up with her undeniable experience in fashion in order to provide high quality service. The services offered include makeup session, coordination, artistic direction, painting, illustration and even modelling.

Kalkidan Assefa

Kalkidan Assefa, aka “DRPN Soul,” is an Ethiopian-born multidisciplinary visual artist and artist-educator, based in the unceded Algonquin Anishnaabeg territory known as Ottawa. His work is focused on large-scale murals, collaborative community-based public art projects, mixed-media canvases, and illustration. His subject matter centers around Diasporic experiences, Black representation, visibility, cultural memory, and ancestral knowledge.

Mediah (Evond Blake)

An Internationally renowned visual artist, MEDIAH is a trendsetter sparking new ideas and originality by blurring the lines between post-graffiti and dynamic abstraction. Blake’s work consists of weaving traditional street art forms with traditional painterly techniques and mixed media printmaking using many forms and approaches found in digital art and design. Heavily inspired by avionics, mechanical engineering and schematics, the artwork glorifies and captures the essence of speed, motion, dynamism and force to create movement on the image surface. Blake’s work provides the viewer with not only this glorification of speed relating to the thirst for a faster and more streamline world but also its unavoidable repercussions of collision, disaster and chaos.

Kim Cain

Kim Cain earned her BFA from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design (1999) and Bachelor and Masters of Education degrees from Mt. St. Vincent University (2000-2003). She exhibited with BANNS and Sister Vision (a collective of Black Nova Scotian female artists) throughout the 2000’s. Her work consists of mixed media collages that explore ‘womanist visions’ and her ancestral roots in the communities of Africville and North Preston.

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