“Crepu: Our DNA”: Ottawa’s first black hair show
“Making the arts accessible to people of my community, specifically Black Canadians, is my biggest passion–Ottawa’s creative scene has always been a type of DIY project, and I want to push for it to enter the mainstream.” - Sandra Ngenge Dusabe, Head curator of MAG & Painter
The Moving Art Gallery has joined forces with Hors Pairs Social to invite Ottawa-Gatineau creatives and art-lovers to Ottawa’s Premier Black Hair Art Show at Club SAW On February 5th and 6th, 2023. Attendees can register via Eventbrite: http://bit.ly/3IQ5vyu
Hair is a medium that the Black folks use to express creativity, to preserve history, and is seen as a symbol of resilience; in this show, we aim to explore these ideas through photography, film, discussion and performance. The two-day exhibit will expose artworks by Bobby Brugal, Dion Prints, Francesca Désulmé, Stephane Alexis, Yodit Michele, and Oladimeji Odunsi.
About The Show
The Nation's Capital lacks quite severely in Black representation in visual arts, and this show aims to tackle that issue by exploring an important element of Black life: hair. "Crepu : Our DNA” would be the first ever Black Hair Art Show to ever exhibit in Ottawa, marking this event a historic moment for the city. With selections from local artists and engagement from community builders, we aim to create a space dedicated to the cultural practice of hairdressing in the Black community. This show was made possible through sponsorship by local businesses and organizations such as City of Ottawa, Youth Action Now, Arts Net Ottawa, Cloré Beauty Supply, Debaser, Ottawa Black Art Kollective (OBAK), and David’s Tea.
About The Moving Art Gallery & Hors Pair Social
The Moving Art Gallery is an Independent Art Gallery founded by Sandra Ngenge Dusabe in 2020 to highlight Women and Black people in the arts. Built off the need for representation in the Canadian arts, the artist-run gallery creates community by creating a safe space for marginalized communities. Hors Pair Social has been nominated for the 2023 Ottawa Awards by FACES Magazine, and The Moving Art Gallery's last show, GirlShow, was an immense success. In a collaborative effort with Hors Pair Social, a social group with the mandate to curate events catered towards Black persons, this union between both of the Black Woman led organizations has resulted in a unique arts experience.
The Team behind it all:
Sandra Ngenge Dusabe is a painter and emerging curator based in Ottawa. She works as the Programming and Cultural Coordinator at Debaser, a non-profit music presenter in Ottawa, The Moving Art Gallery in 2020. Sharlène Clarke is an event curator and creative. She founded Hors Pair Social, a social group that hosts a wide range of social and entertainment events tailored to Black folks in Ottawa-Gatineau.
General Info:
Date: February 5th & 6th, 2023
Location: Club SAW, 67 Nicholas Street, Ottawa, ON
Admission: Tickets are priced at a suggested 15$. Guests can opt for a Pay-What-You-Can ticket, or provide a donation that goes directly to the organizers.