Beyond The Soil - Oddside Arts

An exhibition that explores textiles and patterns as modes of communicating creation stories i.e., the way we come to be based on our storied histories of movement and discovery. BEYOND THE SOIL is inspired by the modes of meaning embedded in quilting practices of the African diaspora.

BEYOND THE SOIL combines the tactile applications of quilting practices with new media by incorporating digital design, 3D printing and augmented reality. The exhibit features imagined quilt patches from several Afrodiasporic members located in cities across Ontario as well as Chicago, IL. Each participant was asked to sketch or digitally draw their creation story—exploring their lineage and the experiences that have molded them. We are comprised of a compilation of moments that shape us. For Black folks, those moments are a mixed assemblage of movement, adaptation, and shifting soil.

Volunteer

Catch Us At Nuit Blanche!

Beyond the soil will be at the Scarborough Town Centre for Nuit Blanche

You can find us at Entrance 2 at the Scarborough Town Centre from Sept. 23 at 7 PM to 7 AM on Sept. 24!

The Making of Beyond the Soil

Creative Team

BEYOND THE SOIL was curated and designed by Nico Taylor & Queen Kukoyi of Oddside Arts with assistance from Chicago-based community artist Schetauna Powell of Artivism Community Art. The creation of the exhibit also benefited from artistic consulting by Toronto-based artist and designer, Neekta Torabian who advised on the 3D printing on fabric. And a custom display for the 3D-printed prototype quilt patches created by Toronto-based architectural designer and installation artist, Mark Francis.

The quilt patterns

Quilts are a woven source of record keeping passed down through generations. There is a rich history of African diasporic quilting culture, birthing folklore that visualizes the mass displacement of African descendent people due to the Transatlantic Slave Trade. These patterns attempt to communicate how those searching for their freedom navigated the Underground Railroad. Whether these tales are true or not, quilting has long been a way for many African ancestors to gather with community, impart cultural knowledge and pass down visual histories as meaningful fabric stitches.

Between Lines

Nico Taylor

Reclamation

Queen Kukoyi

Sun Cycle

Nandi Taylor

Balisier and Braids

Afi Browne

From the Underground...

Schetauna Powell

A Light Connection

Gerda Creates

Wild Arrival

The Wild Woman

Branch Out

Ohm

...Birth to Rebirth

Myrtle Henry Sodhi

Cross-Roads

Levyi-Alexander J. Love

In Flux

Meighan Morson

Love from a Messenger

Nenookaasi

We Go Forward

Kofi Frempong

The Noble Ones (Amazigh)

Sarah Waithe

noogda nat be salkhu, rukhew agaynkhu

Niya Ahmed Abdullahi

Prismatic Compass

Mahlikah The Moonrise Poet

History Repeats Itself

Nay Unapologetic

Moons and Waves

O. Shae

Miskeen

Sage

Everyday

Amirah Star

Yard

Tracey Prehay

BEYOND THE SOIL features artistic work from: Amirah Star, Afi Browne, Gerda Creates, Kofi Frempong, Levyi-Alexander J. Love, Mahlikah The Moonrise Poet, Meighan Morson, Myrtle Henry Sodhi, Nandi Taylor, Nay Unapologetic, Nenookaasi, Niya Ahmed Abdullahi, Ohm, O.Shae, Sage, Sarah Waithe, Tracey Prehay and The Wild Woman.

The above artwork is the first iteration of an innovative communal quilting project.

Gallery

Beyond the Soil was first exhibited at Toronto’s City Hall.

View The Exhibit

Beyond the Soil will be exhibited at Scarborough Town Centre for Nuit Blanche on September 23-24 from 7PM TO 7AM!

To get the most out of your viewing experience, download the Artivive App to be able to explore the augmented reality (AR) on each piece.