We are thrilled to announce that Ibe Ananaba has been selected as the artist in residence for this Spring in Kjipuktuk (Halifax) at the Wonder’neath Studios in the Central North End of the city, May 20 – June 15, 2024.

From the artist:

“My artistic practice is fueled by a passionate curiosity to explore socio-cultural issues such as identity representation, cultural heritage preservation, social injustice, and shared human experiences that shape contemporary living. Experimenting with traditional and unconventional mediums and approaches, including charcoal, conté, markers, spray, acrylics, watercolor and mixed media, I strive to initiate insightful and transformative conversations that challenge prevailing norms. In this esteemed residency program, I aim to harness the therapeutic potential of art, particularly drawing, to push the boundaries of my creativity. By celebrating resilience, pride, and heritage through extensive exploration of drawing, I seek to foster connections with fellow creatives and engage meaningfully with the community.

“In this residency, I will explore and celebrate drawing as the livewire in visual storytelling. Using diverse materials to investigate Afro-pop culture’s impact on black identity, resilience, and heritage, this exercise aims to transcend tokenism often associated with the limited recognition of black history, typically relegated to the confines of February. Through rigorous research and experimentation, I seek to center black identity in conversations on diversity and inclusivity, advancing my drawing techniques with newfound depth and meaning.”

Ibe is passionate about his art being instrumental in social transformation. We’ll share details soon on the upcoming opportunities for community participation. Follow VANS and Wonder’neath on social media.

VANS in Residence provides a stipend to support the artist, a studio space, as well as support from VANS and Wonder’neath to help make the residency a rich experience for the artist and the community alike. 60% of the artist’s time will be dedicated to their own work and and 40% of the time will be dedicated to community-based work.

Questions? Email Andrea Ritchie at paints@visualarts.ns.ca

About Wonder’neath

Wonder’neath is a vibrant arts centre and charitable artist-led organization based in Kjipuktuk (Halifax) that offers community-engaged art programming, workshops, training/mentorship, and specialized, accessible visual arts studios. Wonder’neath believes in the transformative powers of art for individuals and communities, as a tool for expression, connection, and social transformation. Wonder’neath works to shift the perception of who can be involved in the arts by offering early exposure and access to children, youth, and those facing barriers to accessing artistic programming. Through creative partnerships, programming and collaborative projects Wonder’neath explores ways of integrating professional arts with the community, sharing its learnings with other organizations locally, regionally, and nationally.

About VANS

Visual Arts Nova Scotia (VANS) believes in a future where a career as an artist is accessible, sustainable, and recognized as an integral part of our communities.

Visual Arts Nova Scotia supports artists through education, connection and advocacy. We operate across Mi’kma’ki, the unceded and unsurrenedered territory of the L’nu people, also known as Nova Scotia. We prioritize artist-to-artist learning through workshops, mentorship, and sharing information about meaningful opportunities. Visual Arts Nova Scotia advocates for artists by listening to their concerns, speaking up for their needs, and creating platforms to share their work. Recognizing that equity-seeking artists face additional barriers to a career in the arts, Visual Arts Nova Scotia works to make resources accessible to artists across the province, while prioritizing support for those who are impacted by systemic oppression.