This unique learning opportunity brought together students from The University of the Bahamas (UB) and OCAD U to examine the decolonization of art within their respective institutions and countries for two weeks in Nassau, Bahamas. This partnership was designed to examine decolonial practice's complex questions and map these across two distinct national and institutional contexts. Focused on contemporary art practice—research, education, and production—this residency provided a valuable vehicle for faculty and student artists to exchange ideas and develop broader awareness of best practices in art-making within a frame of decolonization.
With these complexities anchoring the curriculum, OCAD Universities' students and faculty were significantly transformed by meeting with and viewing the art by artists in the Bahamas. The programming worked to expand their understanding of the international conversations happening around notions of art and social change. Likewise, Bahamian student artists and faculty had opportunities to interact with and learn from the Turtle Island context through interactions and teachings from Indigenous artists and educators Elder Liz Ozawamik, Peter Morin and Nadia McLaren.
This residency facilitated studio exploration through an exchange of materiality, knowledge and research through the studio-making process. This included a range of studio activations, sharing circles, visits to sites of coloniality, artist talks ceremonies, and museum visits. An absolute highlight of the experience for all was the site of the residency which was made possible through a new community partnership between OCAD U and Project I.C.E. (Incubator for Collaborative Expression).
With the support of its president, artist Antonius Roberts, who acted as a studio mentor for artist collaboration, students met with local community artists and shared space with emerging practitioners. The design of this site also provided an exemplary model of sustainable community practices through its vision of human collectivity, environmental design, solar power, community gardening and STEAM programming and facilities. The course culminated in a community gathering where scholars, artists and arts leaders were invited to a final exhibition showcasing the 'in process' artworks and projects of the participating students.
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"This wonderful partnership with Project I.C.E. and the University of the Bahamas allowed participants an opportunity to explore themes of decoloniality using a studio research creative model. The curriculum was designed to encourage students to learn on land and from land with people who had common histories of colonial impacts. Withing the curriculum they were able to hear from artists and create work in response to sacred historical spaces. Focused on contemporary art practice—research, education, and production—this residency was an invaluable vehicle for faculty and students to exchange ideas and to develop broader awareness of best practices in art-making within a frame of decolonization." - Ilene Sova, Ada Slaight Chair of Contemporary Drawing & Painting, Faculty of Art, OCAD U
“The Decolonizing Art from the Turtle Island to the Islands of the Bahamas is a project that offers significant opportunities for professional development for our faculty and artistic growth for our students. One of the reasons that this is the case is because the OCAD professors have developed this project as a partnership, This will lead to artistic and academic partnerships that will benefit both institutions. The students exposure to a variety of aesthetic points through their exchange with OCAD visitors will also validate their own concerns and interest in decolonization, diversity, equity and anti-oppression. At the Faculty of Liberal and Fine Arts, we view this project as an important foundation to build many future collaborations between our instructors and a long-lasting partnership between our two institutions.” - Douglas Barkey, Dean, Liberal and Fine Arts University of the Bahamas
Off-site Experiential Learning
Community Building
Material Explorations
Toronto Exchange
The second component of this program invited UB and community members from Project ICE to travel to Toronto and visit a diverse range of sites, meeting with creative practitioners and gaining experiences distinct to Turtle Island.
The group viewed exhibitions at the Art Gallery of Ontario, The Power Plant and 401 Richmond, The Royal Ontario Museum, Spadina House; received a gallery tour with Indigenous Art Curator and Associate Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Science Ryan Rice at Onsite Gallery; participated in an historical walk around Kensington Market; visited the Petroglyphs Provincial Park; enjoyed Toronto’s annual Caribbean Festival; learned from Indigenous OCAD U student Emma Martin about using sustainable materials in photography; learned more about the Centre for the Study of Black Canadian Diaspora by founder and Associate Professor Dr. Andrea Fatona; and practiced encaustic painting techniques with Faculty of Art Associate Professor Nicole Collins.
The residency ended with a culminating exhibition titled Social in the Gallery which featured painting, drawing, sculpture, video, photography, mixed media and collage works by students from the University of Bahamas, Project ICE and OCAD U.
Student Testimonials
"To say the least' everything moved me during the residency. The collaboration between Turtle Island and the Islands of the Bahamas was important in bringing forth change. This opportunity to hear and share discussions regarding land, cultures, and our home. Additionally, to make a difference within ourselves and prompt opportunities for change within our intuitions. The chance to continue to decolonize myself and bring awareness to important issues that moved me. In having the privilege of working with such outstanding individuals and having the welcoming energy and spirit of the Bahamians. They not only made us feel safe but a part of their community. Finally, another thing that moved me was the abundance of soothing water and nature." - Emma Martin
"Working alongside the OCAD U artists and Bahamian artists every day created a special web of interrelationships. I was thankful for the presence of the Indigenous elder Liz and Anishinaabe artist Nadia. Their support and teachings throughout the residency brought me comfort and helped me to feel grounded. I was happy that the Page 3 Bahamian students were able to share in some of my cultural teachings as well. Learning from one another, exchanging cultural methodologies of existing, and coming together in community was inspirational." - Roberta Pringle
"This trip has given me an opportunity to absorb, relate and reflect on the last five hundred years of Bahamas and its myriad representations, as seen in the works of Bahamian artists. I have learned so much and I can relate to so much here. There are things from my homeland I see here. There are Tamarind trees, Gulmohar trees (Delonix Regia) of which I have played under as a kid in Mysore, India. I grew up with a Gulmohar tree right outside my house. We have been exposed to so many textures, colours, flora and fauna, artworks in the residency. Either there were direct translations of daily life, flora fauna of the islands getting translated into the art work or it was life of people and protest art finding its voice through art." - Anantha Chickanayakanahalli
"In regards to the Sacred Spaces art installation by Antonious Roberts at Cliffton Heritage Park, I personally felt very impacted by this site and the sculptures that Antonius Roberts had created in this space. I felt a wave of various emotions, from gratitude, to respect, to sadness, and nostalgia. I felt as though I could feel the weight of the air differently in that area, and it remains one of my most cherished experiences from the trip." - AY Johnson-Olanrewaju
"During my time spent in Toronto, Canada, I’ve absorbed so much. I’ve participated in a different culture, met and learned about many artists, and visited a variety of art spaces...for instance, At the AGO, we had a private session where we looked at photos of old Nassau, Bahamas. It was captivating to see Nassau before now...I’m glad that I was a part of this life-changing opportunity. And I’ve been truly inspired, can’t wait to see what’s coming next, and can’t wait to do it again." - Marknesha Bastian
"The overall experience is hard to sum up, but to encapsulate everything into words, I’d use astounding, educational, memorable, and grateful. It was astounding to travel to another country and experience so many things that were new but also somehow familiar. Exploring galleries, seeing different artists works, and creating my own in the studio that I’ll be visiting frequently in the upcoming months. Educational in a literal sense where I not only was able to learn about different art forms but also learning about an entire culture. Being able to participate inperson with the indigenous elder Liz Osawamick’s led ceremonies, learning about their art, connectivity to nature and overall respect for its balance." - Rachel Pyfrom
"Monday at the Petroglyphs; this was touching because we got to delve into indigenous life and what they dealt with from uneducated colonizers attempting to police and erase their existence. The petroglyphs were in an enclosed sanctuary to help to preserve its longevity against the elements of nature. The hosts taught us about each figure depicted on the rocks and the important roles they play in their culture’s beliefs. They also were kind enough to offer us hand-made parting gifts of our choosing which added an extra level of welcoming...What I took away from this experience is something that I never knew I needed. The exposure to so much stories felt enlightening and gave us an idea about other artist’s lives and their motivations to consistently create. The time in the studio taught me that it’s okay to take my time on my own projects instead of worrying so much about if I view them as being finished or good enough." - Brent Fox
"The Toronto experience was life-changing, and an experience that I needed as a young artist to continue to grow. It was beautiful to experience Indigenous culture firsthand, while realizing that they have found the strength as a people to maintain their traditions and further their teachings despite the transgressions against them. I always enjoy seeing art, and the AGO did not disappoint- neither did OCAD, with their top-of-the-line facilities for creating. It was nice to briefly spend time in a space where queerness, inclusion and freedom was prioritized, and that expression was everywhere- in the different cultures displayed, and in the little communities where everyone could find a sense of home and familiarity" - Reagan Kemp
We would like to acknowledge the support of the Government of Canada’s Global Skills Opportunity program, The Faculty Mobility for Partnership Building Program with Edu Can, and The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Connection Grant