Explore Black History Month with The University of Victoria Art Collections

February is Black History Month. In 2024, we had the privilege of collaborating with Black artists and curators from across the country, who brought powerful exhibitions and programming to our gallery. In honour of the incredible work of these artists and curators, we invite you to explore the curated online resources developed alongside these exhibitions, both this month and beyond.

From left to right:
The Chorus is Speaking: Artists in Conversation November 2024 Artist Talk at Legacy Art Gallery. Seated from left to right are Charles Campbell, Syrus Marcus Ware, Karin Jones, Chantal Gibson, and Jenelle Pasiechnik. Image by Anahita Ranjbar.

The Chorus is Speaking: Experiencing Identities of Blackness in Canada brought together eight artists — Ojo Agi, Christina Battle, Charles Campbell, Chantal Gibson, Dana Inkster, Karin Jones, Jan Wade, and Syrus Marcus Ware — exploring the Black experience on Turtle Island through diverse media, including sculpture, drawing, painting, installation, film, and poetry. Curated by Michelle Jacques and Jenelle Pasiechnik, the exhibition highlighted the artists' deep insights and inventiveness in addressing themes of identity, history, and resilience.

Watch The Chorus is Speaking Artist Talk

Read "The Chorus is Speaking: The Victoria Context" by Jenelle Pasiechnik

Read news coverage on The Chorus is Speaking

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Rooting for Reclamation curator Madison Bridal pictured by her curatorial statement in Legacy Art Gallery. Image by Jazmin Hundal.

Rooting for Reclamation, curated by Madison Bridal, featured artists Aya Behr, Kemi Craig, Nathan Smith, and Tajah Olson. Through their work, the artists explored themes of Black identity, ancestry, beauty, joy, and community, each offering a unique perspective on Black reclamation.

Read the curatorial essay by Madison Bridal

Read our interview with Madison Bridal

Masked Identity: Artworks by Robert Burke 2024 exhibition at Legacy Art Gallery. Image by Jade Guan.

Masked Identity, curated by Curator of Collections Anahita Ranjbar, focused on the life and art of Robert Burke, a Denesuline-Black artist and residential school Survivor. Through intricate symbolism and a distinctive style, Robert’s exhibition reflected on the social and political injustices he has faced, offering a powerful narrative of personal healing and reconciliation through art.

Watch the video interview with Robert Burke

Explore the Masked Identity virtual exhibition

Read news coverage on Masked Identity


Enjoyed these exhibition resources? Continue exploring on our Past Exhibitions BlogSearch through decades of exhibitions offered by The University of Victoria Art Collections at our current and past locations.