BHM Artists Features Week Three
RANEECE BUDDAN - Visual Artist
Raneece Buddan, a local visual artist
Photo: Art Gallery of Alberta
Raneece Buddan is a local visual artist in Edmonton. The following is her artist statement from her website: My work focuses on my cultural identity as a Jamaican woman of African and East Indian descent. I depict the merging of both cultures with the use of fabric from each. The fabric is used as an additional identifier for who I am, rather than my skin tone. I discover the figure within the grains of the wood adding the fabric and elements of realism. Symbolizing a limbo state of existence
In Jamaica as a child being mixed with another race was glorified and overshadowed your blackness. The silkier the hair, the “nicer” and “prettier” it is and you too in turn. I have included synthetic hair to signify my struggle from a young age with the attachment to my hair. I signified my hair with my beauty. When amongst “pure” Indians I felt less than. My hair was still not straight enough and my skin not light enough. I was identified as a “Black Indian”, making me feel like I wasn't enough. According to society, all Indians were of light complexion and because of colorism, lighter skin, in general, was idealized as a signifier of beauty.
My process is based on my research on traditional and contemporary art from each culture. I try to explore different processes from each as my foundation. The goal of each piece is to learn more about myself throughout the process.
ALIYA LOGUN - Photographer
(From 12 Creative Co on Twitter) "I'm a black female photographer based in YEG and I've been pursuing my passion for photography for almost a year now. Most of the work on my page is portraiture with different projects and editorials. I'm always open to new concepts/ideas."
Head to Aliya Logun’s instagram with the button below to see her stunning portraits yourself!
