Geoffrey Webster, Artist & Curator – Halifax
(photo: John Musick)
Geoffrey Webster is a Montreal (Tiohtià:ke)-born artist and curator who’s about to start his MA in Screen Cultures and Curatorial Studies at Queen’s University. Lately, his work – both artistic and curatorial – has been focused on Black identity and how it continues to be misrepresented in media. His newest artwork, How Sleeps The Beast, draws on Black and Afro-centric dance while navigating meme culture and critiquing modern forms of minstrelsy. He is also the curator of Broad/Cast: Reclaiming Representation, a group exhibition currently on view at the Dalhousie Art Gallery that shines a light on identity and what it means for the Black body to exist in media and digital spaces.
This could be my book of the year! Legacy Russell‘s enlightening Black Meme profoundly expanded my understanding of Black visual culture’s historical context and how the Black body is circulated online. I’ll be sure to hold onto this book for my move to Kingston (Ka’taroh:kwi).
Moving to Halifax (Kjipuktuk) back in 2021, I quickly set out to find good food spots. After four years here, Aster Café has persistently remained my #1. Not only is the food fantastic (some of the best beyaynetu I’ve ever had), but the people who run it are the warmest in the restaurant business in this city.
- Tennis
Although I’ve played this sport for the majority of my life, it’s become an obsession of mine for the past few years. Playing after a day of sitting in my office has been nothing short of restorative, and the sea breeze at Halifax (Kjipuktuk)’s Conrose Park/St. Mary’s Boat Club has continuously been a pleasant bonus.
- Yves Jarvis – All Cylinders
The Montreal (Tiohtià:ke) artist’s ability to experiment on his newest album has grown on me throughout the year, ultimately making All Cylinders my favourite release of his. The tonal switch in The Knife In Me has left me in awe since the project’s release, and tracks like I’ve Been Mean and Warp And Woof are a testament to Jarvis’ playfulness and daring character. I can’t recommend this album enough.
- INFINITY MIRRORED ROOM – LET’S SURVIVE FOREVER
During my latest Toronto (Tkaronto) visit, my partner and I stumbled upon Yayoi Kusama’s installation at the AGO after experiencing both Tim Whiten’s and Oluseye’s exhibitions — and were we ever pleased with it! We were running on a tight schedule, but if we had the chance, we could have spent an entire afternoon rejoining the queue to enter it. I have always read about their work, but witnessing a Kusama installation in-person was breathtaking.