2021 Transformation Stories
Charissa Whittingham (She/Her)
Charissa Whittingham is a Toronto based Child and Youth Care Practitioner. Her practice is informed through her relationship with art and using it as a tool for personal self-expression while encouraging others to do the same. Traditional mediums like watercolour and needle art are her happy place, however she has begun to branch out into digital art through illustrating.
Inside the Chrysalis: Present in Transformation
We are familiar with the caterpillar and we know the butterfly, but the stage in between can seem a little uneventful to the outside world. However, it's in this stage - inside the Chrysalis - where transformation is happening. When we become conscious and fully present in this change we get to witness the beauty of our own story. This collection of photos: Natural, Reflect, Embrace, Plan and Conscious express the 5 stages of awareness through your own transformation.
Christiana
Ceesay (she/her)
Christiana is a digital artist based in Toronto. The subject of her work is often black bodies in nature and space. Common themes in her work are escapism, fantasy, and the healing properties of nature. Art has always been a way for her to express the things she couldn't say. She hopes to reach people who feel out of place and looking for a home.
Bloom
Bloom is a photo series about facing growth. I created this series as a way to reflect on my self growth journey. In the first half of the series, I am facing away from the camera. This represents my unwillingness to grow and wanting to run away. The second half of the photos show my struggle with the idea of growth. Despite wanting to grow, finding the starting point was hard. The two photos of the moon represent time and how growth takes time.
Natalie “Rare”
Chattargoon (she/her)
Natalie Chattargoon better known as “Rare”, is a multi-talented Toronto born & raised creative. She grew up facing a lot of challenges throughout her journey that motivated her to strive for a better life. She strives to focus on being a social service worker and an author of powerful books that empower Black excellence. Her work explores social issues through poetry, photography and storytelling.
“WARM SOUL” - Is a photo series and story that focuses on self acceptance for everything that you are. Highlighting models in a royal stance while encouraging joy. With a written piece titled “A Letter For Love” which is embodied for self love for all features while telling a story of realization. Growing up, I had a lot I didn’t like about myself and as I got older, searched for love in all the wrong places which led to many issues in my life. When I started to love myself more, I attracted better into my life and was glowing with positive energy once I did. It’s the best feeling and I hope others find peace in this project. A creation of storytelling, poetry and deep connections.
“A LETTER FOR LOVE”…. Click to read
Sanitra Henderson (SHE/HER)
Sanitra Henderson is 23 year old creative who has a strong passion for helping others and facilitating various programs and workshops in the city. She is a natural people person who loves to connect with others and explore nature. She is Experienced in program development, community outreach, client relations and crisis-intervention with proven success in working with individuals and families from diverse, ethno-cultural and racial backgrounds.
Imposter Syndrome.
My photographs represent the feeling of having imposter syndrome as a teenager and learning that I have the power, ambition, and heart to be anything/anyone I want to be. This project captures the growth, leadership, and strength as a young black woman who has experienced imposter syndrome for many years. The photos are paired with a journal entry for my younger self as a way to acknowledge my past and celebrate my present/future.
To my younger self… Click to Read
Sol
Lae (they/him)
Sol Lae (they/him) is a multi-disciplinary artist with a passion for social activism and spreading kindness through art. They have nurtured their love for storytelling since childhood, from songwriting to slam poetry, theatre performances, script writing, and now photography. Their work has been essential to their growth, as they have found self-acceptance and love within their art.Keep updated on their projects on Instagram. @solo.ftx
“CELESTIAL EMBRACE”
Sol’s photo series showcases trans non-binary youth adorned in their most comfortable, euphoria inducing attire. He uses the symbols of the sun and moon as representation of masculinity and femininity, based on a poem they wrote about their own experience with gender. They use the dreamy lighting to create an illusion of the sky at dusk or dawn, another nod to transcending a binary - that of night and day. Sol wants to highlight that non-binary people exist outside of the gender binary, and there is not any specific way to look, act or be non-binary.
Zainab
Raji (she/her)
Zainab R. is a twenty-two year old emerging artist from Lagos, Nigeria. Originally a writer by choice, Zainab has been honing in on photography as another creative outlet allowing her to explore different forms of storytelling. Often inspired by her African upbringing, Zainab champions authentic and relatable stories that show the multidimensionality of Black people as a race.
“CONNECTIONS”
The Connections Series is a visual storytelling of the significance the relationships in our lives have when it comes to our mental health. The relationships we have with our primary caregivers, our best friends and even ourselves shape the quality of our lives as humans. The use of black and white in the first two pictures is deliberate to give the illusion of a past memory, allowing the viewer to absorb the compositions without the distraction of color. The rest of the photos in the series use color to express the subject’s emotions. Yellow represents friendships and community care. Orange represents optimism and self confidence.