Frantz Brent-Harris

 “As an immigrant from Jamaica who emigrated to Canada in 2003, I encountered the country’s deep denial of present and historical racism and white supremacy. In an act of resilience and resistance, most of my artwork is an intuitive reaction to this experience. I created art that I wanted to see. Black people of African descent are beautiful and have contributed immensely to the wealth that Western Civilization have inherited and enjoyed. However, the attitude towards Black and Indigenous peoples is that we should be grateful for being allowed to exist - this resistance is commonly an underlying theme in my art work. In Canada, mainstream public art is commonly seen as centered on upholding white supremacist capitalism. There is a culture of exclusionist gallery spaces and curators uplifting popular and well funded artists to appeal to rich investors, which then dictates what kinds of works is considered ‘art’ and ‘genius’ I believe the artwork I create is relatable, speaks directly to a commonly lived experience, and can be appreciated by a diverse range of people. My latest series of sculptures includes busts depicting young black people of Afro-punk. I possess an awe and admiration for this generation of Black youth who are pioneering an agenda of self-acceptance and refusal of ‘identity conformation’. Bust are historically reserved for European figures of founding fathers, depicting rich, white and at most times racist males.  

Unapologetically, my artwork seeks to present a juxtapose palate to the white gaze, standing in defiance of historical notions of heroes, representation of beauty and those worthy of being immortalized in a statue. Grounding my work in an anti-colonial and anti-racist lens, I present images that works to dismantle and provide alternative embodiment of beauty.”