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

To find out more, please visit @blackstudiespodcast on Instagram

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Black Studies Podcast, Kenneth Montague and Liz Ikiriko discuss curating, collecting, and making art in a Black Canadian context.

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

03:01 Kenneth Montague: From Dentist to Art Collector

04:39 Liz Ikiriko: A Nigerian Canadian Artist and Curator

07:33 The Impact of Representation in the Art World

10:53 Photography as a World of Possibility

19:31 The Continuous Support and Collaboration between Collectors and Curators

29:36 Exploring the Diversity of Black Canadian Identity

33:00 The Importance of Physical Space and Personal Expression

43:08 Cultural Connections and Family Heritage

53:12 Art as a Tool for Building Relationships and Supporting Artists

56:35 Towards a More Inclusive Understanding of Black Canadian Identity

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

To find out more, please visit @blackstudiespodcast on Instagram

Next Time: A Global Sense of Blackness with Kenneth Montague and Liz Ikiriko

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Nantali Indongo and Del Cowie discuss journalism, hip hop, Black Canadian artistry, grassroots community hubs, and much more. They reflect on their encounters with each other's work and their experiences in the music industry. They also explore the themes of freedom and liberation in music and the challenges and opportunities of documenting black culture in Canada.

Chapters

02:53 Encountering Each Other's Work

08:13 The Impact of Nomadic Massive

13:01 Nantali's Journey to Performance

18:19 Del's Musical Background

21:29 Convergence of Skills and Passions

23:52 Artists Who Move Rights and Liberties Forward

27:49 Music as Education for Blackness and Liberation

33:30 Challenges and Opportunities in Documenting Black Culture

43:01 Expressing Black Experiences and Black Love in Music

44:28 The Need for a Distinct Canadian Rap Form

52:51 Preserving and Documenting Black History and Culture

01:13:00 Hope for the Growing Recognition of Black Canadian Artistry

Guests: Nantali Indongo and Del Cowie

Hosts: Daniel McNeil and Anna Jane McIntyre

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

To find out more, please visit @blackstudiespodcast on Instagram

Next Time: “Not Just Salt and Pepper but Many Different Spices” with Kenneth Montague and Liz Ikiriko

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.