inspiration
Here are some of the things that deeply influence my creative work:
Abdul Mati Klarwein
VISIONARY ARTIST
For me, he's the answer to, "Which non-living artist would you want to have dinner with?" His work is so spiritually rich, lush, and ahead of his time, as were his politics. Plus, he had a bit of an attitude, in a Serge Gainsbourg / Nina Simone type of way that I always find amusing. Some love Frida. I swear by Mati. Brazilian Angel is one of my favourite pieces.
Alice Miller, Psychologist
CHILD ABUSE & MISTREATMENT
Known for her seminal work, The Drama of the Gifted Child, Alice Miller is a dedicated researcher on the topic of childhood trauma and its impact on the adult's life. Her ideas impact the way I position, understand and empathize with the main figures in my work.
Ceremonial Art
WORLDWIDE: MASKS, SCULPTURES, TEXTILES, ADORNMENT
I love the performative nature of ceremonial art — from body painting, tattoos, sculpture, altars and votive paintings — because it all speaks to the senses and places ritualism into an everyday context. The Rand African Art site, for example, has a great worldwide collection of sacred sculptural works.
Erin Finley
THE MOST KICK-ASS CANADIAN FEMALE ARTIST
I love Erin Finley's work so much it's ridiculous. If I weren't such a lazy groupie, I'd probably be stalking her studio bearing home cooked meals, bottles of Olmeca and quarters to do her laundry. Regardless. She draws dirty, strongly, sexy — very punk rock with a pornographic touch. And I seriously dig....
Haitian Drapo Vodou
PRAYER FLAGS
Intricately made with sequins and beads to invoke the power of a diety, the sequins is used to represent that spark of light witnessed when one has directly connected with the spiritual realm. I use it frequently in my work, as well as related Vodun symbols, in keeping with spiritual beliefs of the Haitian culture. La Sirene is by Evelyn Alcide.
Ifá
TRADITIONAL YORUBA RELIGION
This rich, empowering, African spiritual tradition has over 400 dieties — patrons that speak to every aspect of our lives, from market women to warriors, from LGBT folk to the physically abused.
Jim Carroll
POET, MUSICIAN, PUNK, POSTHUMOUS NOVELIST
He was the first writer to have a deep impact on me as an emerging writer in my teens. Luckily, I saw him perform live twice. Only regret: not going to his book-signing when I was 17 at This Ain't on Queen East. I think he would have gotten a kick out of me: the school uniformed, Catholic high-school student who skipped class just to get her copy of Living at the Movies signed. His dense (and beautiful) use of words spurred me on to write.
John Scott
CANADIAN PAINTER
One of my favourite Canadian artists. I admire the way he embeds class consciousness and humanism in his approach to his work. It always deeply resonates with me. Shiva is perhaps one of my favourite pieces by him because it's just so ridiculously clever.
Porn Stars & Sex Workers
... AND "BADLY" BEHAVED WOMEN IN GENERAL
Sex workers find their way into my work (e.g., Jada Fire, Divine Brown, Jordan McKnight, and Amy Fisher). Since the '80s, I have been drawn to these women for many reasons: their iconic beauty, salaciousness, stigma, work stories, cult status, obscurity, disproportionate number of deaths....
Psychopomps
GUIDES TO THE AFTERLIFE
The spirits and ancestors make themselves present to us through our dreams, synchronicity and, in death, accompany us on the journey (crossing over) back home. I often make reference to these guides through vèvès and other symbolism.