A new exhibition at OAG’s Galerie Annexe looks at the joys and pains of love

The works explore love and the multitude of its expressions within the Black community and looks at themes of self-care, community love, intergenerational teachings, as well as the void left in love’s absence.

OTTAWA ON, July 13, 2022 – Ottawa Art Gallery’s Galerie Annexe presents the group exhibition How I Love You, opening July 28th with a public vernissage, and co-presented by the Ottawa Black Art Kollective (OBAK). Following an open call to artists, OAG’s Commercial Community Guest Curator Delilah Edouard Williams selected the work of 24 artists working in digital and analogue photography, painting, illustration, digital painting, and mixed media.

Taking into account all the complexities and varieties of love, the exhibition is organized in three themes interacting with one another: individual and self-love, community-based love and care, and intergenerational teachings of love.

“In accepting ourselves whole-heartedly, we make it possible to better love others like us, and subsequently, build community links. The reinforced sense of community then inherently produces more loving and caring individuals.” – Delilah Edouard William, OAG’s Commercial Community Guest Curator

Across the exhibit we are able to see pieces that consider not only the fruits of such labors of love, but also what comes at the costs of their absence. Some works show that some forms of love that Black folks engage with can be critically viewed and portray subjects experiencing loneliness and self-hatred as a result of isolation and lack of support. On the opposing end, some works show Black people exploring and embracing the vulnerable parts of themselves —something that is frequently denied—representations of healing, lessons in self-love, and reclaimed identities.

The exhibition was realized with the support and partnership of the Ottawa Black Art Kollective (OBAK), and the RBC Foundation’s support of the OAG’s Connect: Artist Mentorship Program.

Artists:

Aly McDonald, Andy Akangah, Aurelie Kadjo, Dion Prints, Fanny Constantino, Farah Lorissaint, Fatuma Kou, Felicity Hauwert, Hasina Kamanzi, Heritier M. Bilaka, Jean Christian Ishimwe, Jega Delisca, Jemimah Lorissaint, Jesus Bondo, Jinnia Baiye, Jovita Adegua Akahome, Lola Shadee Badmus, Mesoma Onyeagba, Olivia Marie, Sandra Dasube, Suleimi Ahmed, Tamar Scott Nnaji, Tolorunlogo (Tolo) Akinrinola, Yomi Orimoloye

Listing information:
How I love you
Galerie Annexe, Ottawa Art Gallery
10 Daly Avenue
Exhibition dates: July 28, 2022 – September 11, 2022
Opening: July 28^th, 6 pm to 8 pmTo RSVP for FREE : Opening of How I Love You | Vernissage de l’exposition Comme je t’aime Tickets, Thu, 28 Jul 2022 at 6:00 PM | Eventbrite

Members of the public can view the exhibition for free during Gallery opening hours.

How I Love You images and captions:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/8ou704vevztc0g9/AAD6ER4MnKEWuqVNtdrflw4La?dl=0

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For media enquiries, please contact:
Véronique Couillard, Officer, Media, Public and Francophone Relations
vcouillard@oaggao.ca, 613-291-1358

OR

Stephanie Germano, Commercial Curator
sgermano@oaggao.ca
613-233-8699, ext.230

About the Ottawa Art Gallery (OAG)
The Ottawa Art Gallery is situated on traditional Anishinābe Aki and is Ottawa’s municipal art gallery and cultural hub. Located in Ottawa’s downtown core, the expanded Gallery is a contemporary luminous cube designed by KPMB Architects and Régis Côté et associés.

oaggao.ca

OAG receives funding from the Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council and the City of Ottawa.