My name is Elsa and I am a visual artist living in Toronto. In my opinion an artist is someone who sees beyond what is there.
I started a project recently, to learn about different Afro-Canadians’ experiences in hopes of translating their stories through my art; to be an ally and to add to their voice for change. I would like to extend an invitation for you to take part in my project, related to
black hands art. With my project, I hope to shed light on the experiences of Afro-Canadians residing in Canada in order to support Black Lives Matter and AfroBiz movements.
My Reason
Being born and raised in Iran during the war time besides being a female in a very religious country has created some kind of emotional sensitivity inside me towards anything happening around the world. I could feel what discrimination meant by every step I wanted to make in every single step of my life. As a matter of facts, all my joys, laughter, interests and friendships were overshadowed and darkened by unfair rules and regulations. However, my heart always stayed warm, surrounded by my family and friends.
In August 2015 when I moved to
Toronto, as a visual artist, Karlene was the first Afro-Canadian I met. I remember the very first day I got up in a new country so far away from my hometown, feeling so puzzled and empty about my immigration, she gave me a warm hug and told me: “If your mom were here, she would give you a warm morning hug every day, I believe.” Later, I started working with Afro-Canadians and I made friends with many of them. Also, I got acquainted with different walks of life, from different races, religions, and colors. However, the only thing I never thought about was features like “race, color, origin” and what really mattered was humanity and paying attention to each other as friends, colleagues, and acquaintances.
Since the murder of George Floyd, I was thinking to be a part of these amazing anti-racism movements, Black Lives Matters and AfroBiz, as an artist and help the world hear their voice.
I have selected this project because I love to feel how they have felt by looking at their hands and gazing into the handlines. I love everyone to listen to Afro-Canadian stories, look at their hands, feel the pleasure and the pain and to be a voice.
MY PROJECT
In order to participate, I invite you to take a picture of your hands. While looking at your hands, I want you to think of a compliment you’ve received and then take a picture of your hands. Then, look at your hands again and think of the most hurtful or disrespectful thing anyone has ever said to you in relation to being Afro-Canadian, and take a picture of your hands again.
A note:
Please submit
pictures of Black Hand
with the highest resolution possible. You are free to choose your background on your own - indoors or outdoors, in the light or in the dark, in color or in black and white. I’m interested in seeing how you look at your hands or how you want them to be viewed by others.
I plan to do some research based on the phrases I receive from you and then exhibit your pictures. You will be invited to visit the exhibition of my findings and your photos upon completion.
I sincerely appreciate your participations and cannot wait to view your submissions and read your stories.
You can send them to my email,
elsahash82@gmail.com .
Please feel free to view my other work on social media or read more about me on my website.
Also, feel free to send this to any Afro-Canadians that might be interested in participating.
Warm regards,
Elsa Hashemi
Visit
Elsa's website here
