Canadian art is in the midst of a cultural renaissance, led in large part by black and indigenous artists – a segment of the art community historically overlooked by the art establishment. However, there is still a formidable gap to bridge, to successfully reach the all-elusive goal of success. And, there are plenty of hidden barriers and pitfalls that plunge many to failure, that must be overcome in order to succeed.
What does success even look like? And, can it be had on one’s own terms? These are some of a number of elusive questions that I explore and answer in this book.
My inquiries have taken me from Toronto, to Lagos Nigeria, to Nunavut – in the arctic circle, from Los Angeles, to London UK, and beyond. It is the pull and push of much of my adult life. And, it is the underlying theme of this book – The Urban Artist’s Manifesto, a journey – should you take it with me, of discovery.
Within these pages, we will uncover the hidden barriers and pitfalls that doom many to failure, and that must be overcome to succeed not just for black artists, but for any person, or group of people in any endeavour of one’s choosing.
I’ve examined my own experiences as an accomplished artist, an early 90s activist, an entrepreneur, and an intrapreneur, and I’ve mined a large amount of the literature in multiple disciplines from art and art history to the business world; from the music industry to the sports industry.
Beyond research, this is personal, a manifesto for the marginalized, and the misfits; The Urban Artist’s Manifesto – Act 1: Letter to My Younger Self.
Forthcoming Release Date TBD, winter 2022.