Deficiencies in Toronto’s Art and Culture Scene and a Proposed Solution
Problem
Given my personal experience, let me highlight 4 urgent deficiencies in the arts and culture scene of Toronto and the surrounding suburbs (GTA):
- There is nowhere for people to find good art created by South Asian artists
- There is nowhere to find the stories and profiles of up-and-coming or established South Asian artists that have a some GTA connection
- There is no trusted curator / platform that’s generally seen as a “taste-maker” for South Asian-inspired art
- South Asian artists struggle to get connected with new fans through their siloed and independent channels, making it challenging to grow a fan base and find a market for their work
Solution
We need a hub that connects with burgeoning artist ecosystems, learns their stories, and showcases their art in a digestible and interesting way for the masses. We need a platform to visit when we want to be moved and inspired by someone that looks like us yet still knows the same street names and grocery stores we do.
Diasporic art makes those of us in the diaspora feel seen and understood by celebrating the designs elements and language we grew up around while adding new elements informed by our experiences of coming of age in the West. Naturally, our experiences are distinct from South Asians in South Asia, and thus so the needs we look to our art to fulfill.
Given the South Asian artists in the GTA who are either quietly creating staggeringly beautiful works or trying to earn a living off their talents, there should be an abundance of art to enjoy. But where is it? Why is it so hard to find?
I think I can build something to satisfy this need, and I think doing so would be the journey of a lifetime.