A.Y. Johnson

Radiant (on her knees)

Collage based mixed media work

“Collage-painting centers around the topic of the artist’s Nigerian Canadian identity, and more specifically the ‘façade’ that plays a part in keeping up appearances when it comes to addressing both cultures; this meaning that the artist feels a burden to properly represent both sides of this identity, despite not feeling heavily linked to either. Both Canadian and African motifs are incorporated. At first glance the viewers see an image of a female figure adorned in jewelry, oozing gold from her limbs, and kneeling in ‘grass’ (African kente clothing patterns), in a sense she almost seems goddess-like, but the disarray surrounding her slowly becomes clearer. The hazardous style of the brushstrokes contrasts the peacefulness we see at first, on her sides open rib cages and bones signify the hollowness she feels. Overall, the more we look the stiffer the figure appears, as if she is rooted in place.”