is a participatory art series in which, over two years, a group of young Montrealers intervenes and responds to Dazibao’s exhibition programming, collaborating with each other and their mentor, artist Veronica Mockler.

À l’image — Takeover 6 Makeover

In response to Andrew Norman Wilson’s In the Air Tonight.

Other scenes discussed by collaborators from À l’image — Takeover in their exploration of the societal implications of Hollywood’s trivializing clichés of lived experiences such as intimidation, race, and gender performance.

Shake It Up (2010)

High School Musical (2006)

Mean Girls (2004)

Grease (1982)

Adalyhia Stamp (b. 2008), is a secondary 3 dynamo, an aspiring marine biologist, and a part-time musician. She wishes to excel in school and her studies.

Destiny Gbaniyi (b. 2009) is a high school student at École La Voie in the borough of Côte-des-Neiges. She aspires to become a lawyer by day and a sculpture artist by night. For the time being, Destiny is focused on continuing to win her dancing and swimming competitions. You should know that Destiny is not very talkative when you first meet her.

Hunnayna Hemed (b. 2008) is a Tanzanian-born "overachiever" who loves helping people and learning new things. Her passions and hobbies include art, music, writing, basketball, badminton, and photography.

Isha Sheriff (b. 2006) is a 11th grader with a passion for art, baking, and basketball. She loves and is proud of her Sierra Leonean heritage because it is a little-known culture in Québec.

Kaymarie Sutherland (b. 2007) is all about being around people she loves. Dancing, music, trying new things, and learning are very important to her.

Kendra McDonald (née en 2008) is a half-Jamaican and half-Grenadian anime and manga enthusiast, specifically the show titled One Piece. She is naturally drawn to the arts, media, and storytelling.

Mei Gannon (b. 2000) grew up in the Little Burgundy community of Montreal. Known for her involvement as a Youth and Recreation Facilitator at Tyndale St-Georges Community Centre, Mei is currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree at Concordia University. Her passion for helping those around her and her love for theatre led her to take Human Relations as a major, and Theater as a minor. In her spare time, Mei loves to indulge in creative projects.

Sanaa Bishop-Méus (b. 2005) is a young black artist from Montreal. Through painting, drawing and digital illustration, her work conveys the beauty of black women. The artist is interested in the representation of all shades, shapes and sizes of feminine Blackness. Sanaa's goal is to pursue a degree in Art and Business in Toronto.

Sasha Ferst (b. 2006) is a high school student who is contemplating a career as a nurse. Although she likes art, Sasha does not know if she would pursue it as her career. With the help of this opportunity, she hopes to open her mind to new possibilities.

Unless otherwise specified, all photographic and other documentation, footage and video capture, editing and sketches are by Veronica Mockler.

↩︎

The artist thanks Amanda Maxwell at Desta Black Community Network, as well as Ashley Montgomery and Vivek Venkatesh at Project Someone, Concordia University for their generous collaboration.

This project is supported by the Canada Council for the Arts, and the Ville de Montréal and the Gouvernement du Québec in the context of the Entente sur le développement culturel de Montréal.

Dazibao thanks the artist and her collaborators for their generous collaboration as well as its advisory programming committee for its support.

Dazibao receives financial support from the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec, the Canada Council for the Arts, the Conseil des arts de Montréal, the ministère de la Culture et des Communications and the Ville de Montréal.

Dazibao acknowledges that it is located on the unceded territory of the Kanien'kehá: ka Nation and that Tiohtiá:ke / Montreal is historically known as a gathering place for many First Nations, and today, is home to a diverse population of Indigenous as well as other peoples. Guided by ethics of respect, listening, and awareness, Dazibao commits to a continued reflection regarding the deep-rooted and systemic challenges tied to accessibility and inclusivity in the arts and beyond, and endeavors to apply such reflections to all aspects of its activities and governance.