Dartmouth, N.S., art gallery honours Black women

Artist Kemi Adeyemi-Wilson’s latest exhibit pays tribute to Black women and their unwavering strength.

A Dartmouth, N.S., art gallery is stopping people in their tracks to admire its beauty and history.

Artist Kemi Adeyemi-Wilson was chosen by the Black Artists Exhibit of Nova Scotia to feature her art in their latest exhibition at the Zatzman Sportsplex.

“My inspiration is really about growing up in Nigeria, living in different countries. I’ve lived in the United Kingdom. I’ve lived in in Philadelphia for business school, and now I’m here in Halifax,” says Adeyemi-Wilson.

“Culturally, Black women are very colourful. And there’s a sisterhood. I grew up with sisters. I went to high school with girls. Women support each other. So really, my paintings are inspired by our lives.”

She says the artwork not only highlights their individual excellence, but unwavering strength.

“The first thing that strikes people is the colour. It’s vibrant. But the truth is, behind each painting there are stories. We may be colorful, but sometimes we are masking,” she says. “We choose to be joyful, but most paintings also hide something. There’s a backstory.”

One painting named “Victoria’s Victory” features a woman in a yellow dress with her arms wide-open.

Adeyemi-Wilson says it pays homage to her late sister.

“She had a massive stroke at 31, and she lived for nine years afterwards, but she never walked again. But she always said that she was happy she survived the stroke. And she’s victorious,” says Adeyemi-Wilson.

The gallery will be on display for the rest of the month.

Ademyemi-Wilson hopes her art will continue to serve as a testament to Black women’s strength and resilience.

“What I realized is women are strong, the sisterhood is strong. And if we support each other by lifting each other up, as well as creating opportunities for each other, the world will be a better place.”

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