ANCIENT TONGUE: Tafui

January 31 – March 18, 2023

In her exhibition ANCIENT TONGUE, Vancouver-based artist and designer Tafui exhibits a large-scale textile installation and paintings inspired by cornrows/canerows. Her striking black and white textile installation flows from the ceiling to the floor, and large paintings echo the repeating motifs along the walls of the gallery. Using mark-making as an homage to traditional methods of storytelling, Tafui shares her own stories through her work.

Cornrows, also known as canerows outside of North America, have been integral to the African diaspora for centuries. Initially developed in East and West Africa, cornrow groomed and styled hair created intricate designs and expressed cultural identity. Tafui explains that this hairstyle has remained a powerful symbol of identity and resilience. As a cultural practice, cornrows have a rich history, representing a shared heritage of strength and perseverance. They are an important symbol of a collective past and a reminder of the beauty and power of African-descended people worldwide.

Tafui has translated this unique self-expression into patterns and symbols for her paintings and textiles, using bold patterns and simple designs. As we celebrate the beauty and strength of our diverse identities, we also honour the rich history of cornrows and their contribution to our collective story. The understanding of our histories and shared experiences we become united, as people, as cultures, and to the earth.

Tafui is an independent artist and designer, originally from Xaymaca / Kingston, Jamaica.

Exhibition Reception and Artist Talk: Sunday, March 12, 2023 at 2 – 4 p.m.