It Takes Generations

My becoming an artist has been a journey that started long before I was born. The struggles and challenges faced by my African Nova Scotian ancestors have cleared a path that I could emerge at just the right time – in THIS time and space. They have endured trauma – threats to their human existence which has weighed heavily on each generation. There was no time to heal or breathe a cleansing breath. Wounds were forced to scab over only to be retraumatized. Running a race, bloody worn soles with improper footwear. They kept running generation to generation. We keep running.

During this Pandemic, we were all trapped inside. There was no choice – the world/society had to see our scars. No choice but to see our lives, the lives of our children. Being in this pause caused me to look inward, to see the good that was left, the blood that was shed and the strength that was given. We have run this race, moving forward ever so slowly but determined. It Takes Generations to speak to the realities of being an African Nova Scotian Artist and how my dream became possible. This project speaks to the individuals throughout generations who inspired me towards my reality.