As part of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology’s ongoing anti-racism, decolonization, and Indigenization efforts, the Decolonization and Anti-Racism Committee held another art contest this year.
For the 2022 SocAnth Art Contest, the committee called on all the creative types among Sociology and Anthropology students, alumni, faculty, instructors, and staff to submit a piece of art created with anti-racism, decolonization, and/or Indigenization in mind.
We received a number of inspiring artwork submissions this year and are deeply appreciative of everyone who participated in the contest. Eleven artists, including current students and alumni, submitted a total of twelve brilliant and thoughtful pieces of artwork.
After a careful review of these works of art, the selection committee is pleased to share the top three.
Heartberry Phases by Gaya Kitnasamy, Alumni (B.A. Honours Sociology, 2020)
Gaya Kitnasamy graduated with a B.A. Honours in Sociology and a Senate Medal for outstanding academic achievement in 2020, and has taken first place in the art contest with Heartberry Phases.
"Heartberry Phases is about the decolonization and Indigenization of the concept of love,” Gaya notes.
The idea for this painting arose when I learned that there is no direct translation for 'I love you' in the Cree language. Rather, 'I love you' in Cree is, 'I place you before me.' This painting attempts to depict this idea of selflessness in love. The faces in the painting are all interconnected and fluid. They exist within and with one another. I also included a strawberry, often referred to as the heartberry in many Indigenous cultures, as a symbol of love.Gaya Kitnasamy
The idea for this painting arose when I learned that there is no direct translation for 'I love you' in the Cree language. Rather, 'I love you' in Cree is, 'I place you before me.' This painting attempts to depict this idea of selflessness in love. The faces in the painting are all interconnected and fluid. They exist within and with one another. I also included a strawberry, often referred to as the heartberry in many Indigenous cultures, as a symbol of love.
To this day, it is one of her most beloved paintings that she has created. Although the original painting has been sold, the Department of Sociology and Anthropology will display a print of Heartberry Phases on the 7th floor of Loeb Building. As first place in the 2022 Art Contest, Gaya’s art will be displayed in the department over the course of the next year. Stay tuned for more details on location!
Gaya is currently pursuing her passion for art. She incorporates many surreal and symbolic elements into her work. Her art is a reflection of her dreams but also how she perceives the world around her. Gaya notes, “I hope my art can inspire others and remind them of all the beauty around them, and I hope it can bring a sense of peace to anyone who comes across it.” You can check out more of Gaya’s artwork @by.gaya on Instagram.
Eight Pointed Star by Jamie Metallic, Undergraduate Student (Sociology)
Jamie Metallic, a second-year student studying sociology, has taken second place in the art contest with Eight Pointed Star.
As a Mi'gmaq crafter I like to use traditional and modern material to capture both beauties in my creations. This piece that I'm showing is made out of porcupine quills that I harvested last summer. I added rhinestones to make this piece shine a bit extra.Jamie Metallic
As a Mi'gmaq crafter I like to use traditional and modern material to capture both beauties in my creations. This piece that I'm showing is made out of porcupine quills that I harvested last summer. I added rhinestones to make this piece shine a bit extra.
Jamie notes, “In Mi'gmaq territory when others see the eight point star it shows that the person shows acknowledgement and respect to the people, land and our Nation."
Body Decolonization by Morgan McAllister, Graduate Student (MA Anthropology)
Morgan McAllister, a second-year master's student in anthropology has taken third place in the 2022 SocAnth Art Contest.
Morgan’s research explores the experiences of women identified as larger-bodied in southern Ontario health care settings.
Writing about Body Decolonization, Morgan notes:
Fat bodies exist; they are natural and beautiful. Thin supremacy is rooted in racism and sexism, designed to control women and members of the BIPOC community. Hidden in medicine, assumed (but not proven) that thin is healthy, the colonization of body size continues. Anti-fat behaviour further burdens, stigmatizes, and harms people already suffering at the hands of discrimination. Let's learn to love that bodies come in all shapes and sizes, and that fat bodies are amazing.Morgan McAllister
Fat bodies exist; they are natural and beautiful. Thin supremacy is rooted in racism and sexism, designed to control women and members of the BIPOC community. Hidden in medicine, assumed (but not proven) that thin is healthy, the colonization of body size continues. Anti-fat behaviour further burdens, stigmatizes, and harms people already suffering at the hands of discrimination. Let's learn to love that bodies come in all shapes and sizes, and that fat bodies are amazing.
Many thanks to all for participating in the 2022 SocAnth Art Contest. If you have any questions or concerns, or would like to learn more, please get in touch with us at: soc-anthro@carleton.ca.