Anique Jordan, Detail from 94 Chestnut at the Crossroads, 2016. © Anique Jordan.
POSITION AS DESIRED: EXPLORING AFRICAN CANADIAN IDENTITY | PHOTOGRAPHS FROM THE WEDGE COLLECTION
FEBRUARY 11 – MAY 7, 2017
ART GALLERY OF WINDSOR
““From the early days of my collecting, I recognized the importance of creating a space for emerging Canadian photographers. In partnering with the ROM, while there are many other stories to be told beyond those selected for this exhibition, I hope that this small, subjective showing of works will further promote discussion about how we all feel about our own Canadian experience.””
Position As Desired: Exploring African Canadian Identity | Photographs from the Wedge Collection is the first major exhibition to examine the history, movement and experiences of African Canadians through contemporary photography. This touring exhibition was co-organized with the Royal Ontario Museum (Toronto) where it first opened in 2010, before travelling to The Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 (Halifax) in 2013. Conceived and organized by Windsor-born art collector Kenneth Montague, the exhibition presents a wide variety of photographic works from his personal archive – the Wedge Collection – ranging from rare vintage portraits of the first African immigrants to Canada to contemporary works by established artists. Through works by emerging artists as well as a commissioned video work by the collective In the Black Canada – a video based on a series of interviews with members of Windsor’s Black community – the exhibition attempts to instigate a conversation about the experiences of African Canadians within the context of Canada’s 150th anniversary. For more information visit the Art Gallery of Windsor’s exhibition website.
Position As Desired: Exploring African Canadian Identity | Photographs from the Wedge Collection Opening Night, Art Gallery of Windsor, February 11, 2017. Photo by: Tayo Yannick Anton.
Including works by:
Tayo Yannick Anton, Buseje Bailey, Jon Blak, Deanna Bowen, Sandra Brewster, Michael Chambers, Erika Defreitas, Pete Doherty, Stan Douglas, Stella Fakiyesi, Fred Herzog, Anique Jordan, Christina Leslie, Jalani Morgan, Megan Morgan, Zanele Muholi, Dawit L. Petros, Kara Springer, Stacey Tyrell, David Zapparoli and In The Black Canada Collective (Nina Aning, Donna Paris and Sonia Godding Togobo)
Position as Desired was originally presented at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto October 2, 2010 - March 5, 2011
Associated programming included a musical performance – Listen As Desired: A Premiere Performance by the Andrew Craig Trio & Conversation with Kenneth Montague – a film night – Witness As Desired : A Celebration of African Canadian Film – and a full-day symposium – Position As Desired: A Symposium on Artistic Practice and African Diasporic Communities in Canada. Events were supported by the TD Bank Group, the Royal Ontario Museum, Citizenship and Immigration Canada, the Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council, and the Toronto Arts Council.