In this episode of the Black Studies Podcast, Kenneth Montague and Liz Ikiriko continue their conversation about curating, collecting, and making art in a Black Canadian context. They reflect on the importance of community, the transformative power of art, and the influence of Black cultural workers. They also discuss their collaboration on the book 'As We Rise' and the accompanying vinyl record, which celebrate the diversity and hybridity of Black Canadian identity. The conversation highlights the importance of collaboration, the joy of discovering new music, and the power of art to tell personal stories and create connections.
Dr. Kenneth Montagu is a Toronto-based dentist, art collector, and the founding director of Wedge Curatorial Projects, a nonprofit arts organization. Since 1997, Montagu has promoted emerging and established artists via exhibitions, lectures, and workshops. His focus is African Canadian and diasporic art, which he also showcases in his privately owned Wedge collection. Montague's art activities include serving on the African Art Acquisition Committee at Tate Modern in London, UK, and the Photography Curatorial Committee at the Art Gallery of Ontario. He is currently an AGO trustee and an advisor to their Department of Arts of Global Africa and the diaspora.
Liz Ikiriko is a Toronto-based Nigerian Canadian artist and curator with over 15 years of experience working with national institutions and artist-run organizations and was a member of the curatorial committee of the 13th edition of VAMACO Encounters, the African Biennial of Photography in Mali. She is currently curator at Gallery TPW and, along with Toleen Touq founded Waveform Projects, a collaboration that studies intimate and relational curatorial practice. She held positions as inaugural curator of collections and art and public space at the Art Museum at the University of Toronto and curator of collections and contemporary art engagement at the Art Gallery of York University. She has published critical texts in Aperture, Public Journal, Sea Magazine, and Black Flash, among others.
Chapters
01:13 Reflecting on last week's episode and Stuart Hall's work
13:06 The Importance of Investigating and Celebrating Black Canadian Identity
19:25 Curating and Collecting as Celebrations of Black Canadian Identity
21:51 The Collaborative Process of Creating 'As We Rise'
44:40 The Power of Music to Inspire and Connect
Guests: Kenneth Montague and Liz Ikiriko
Hosts: Daniel McNeil and Toleen Touq
Executive Producer: Daniel McNeil
Producer: Toleen Touq
Associate Producer: Anna Jane McIntyre
Audio Engineer: Chancelor Maracle
Music: Marc Mac presents Visioneers, Ike's Mood I
Artwork: Anna Jane McIntyre
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