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Christina Oyawale, Artist – Winnipeg/Toronto

Christina Oyawale is a working-class, queer, disabled, interdisciplinary-image artist, curator, and writer from Toronto, currently based in Winnipeg. Their practice sustains an autotheoretical approach with ties to leftist-political economy, cultural studies, and queercore DIY aesthetics. This is reflected in their work as an amalgamation of images, archives, cultural critique, and longing for a post-digital connective space; utilizing their formal photography practice, printmaking, installation, and textiles. They are currently researching the parallels between queer/punk anti-aesthetics and family abolition – specifically, how subcultural narratives/politics have been excluded from traditional contemporary conversations.
They hold a BFA in Photography with a minor in Music and Culture from Toronto Metropolitan University. They are currently pursuing their MFA with a focus on photography and printmaking at the University of Manitoba. Their works Work-To-Rule are currently included in the group exhibition circling back, (work about working), curated by Casper Sutton-Fosman at Xpace Cultural Centre and on display until March 7.

  1. Internet Archive

The Internet Archive has been a godsend when it comes to my obsession with collecting and researching DIY art for my MFA research. I’ve been able to stumble into some pretty fun things: Richard Kern’s short films, this short-lived public access music show New Wave Theatre from LA in the 1980s, and Winnipeg public access show S*U*R*V*I*V*A*L from the 1980s. No more gatekeeping weirdo art!

  1. Community radio

One of the most effective places to get local news and new music! Replace your Spotify with a radio! Get your taste from real people who care about what they’re talking about. I have a show called Band for Band that broadcasts on University of Winnipeg’s CKUW 95.9fm every Friday from 3 to 4pm CST. But also, some of my favs on CKUW and UMFM who deserve all the hype are: Circle One, RACKET!, Radio State, Whatevergaze, and Sonic Blanket… Tune in!

  1. The Toronto music and film renaissance

Westelaken

Toronto is killing it on indie music and film releases right now. Maybe I’m just feeling nostalgic for the 2010s and missing my home since I moved to WPG, but there’s something in the water. (I just saw NTBTSTM by Matt Johnson and Cherub by Devin Shears: so, so good. Also, Westelaken and Eliza Niemi released a split EP, so maybe I’m biased).

  1. Movies about slackers and losers

I love movies that feel inherently human and relatable. We’re all a little gross and ridiculous, which is beautiful! Watch Rap World and you’ll understand.

  1. VHS footage of Fugazi playing Waiting Room shirtless in 1988

I have always been a diehard Fugazi fan, but the Instagram algorithm feeds me this video once a week. I feel like if I don’t watch it every time, I’ll perish…

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