I had the opportunity to participate in this year’s Harambecouver; that highlighted African and Indigenous cultures, while celebrating the diversity we have in Vancouver.
The sculpture I submitted (Thank You), I originally created for the student-artist exhibition I was apart of in 2016 (The Living Archive). The original intent for the piece incidentally also worked out for the setting of the Harambecouver festival–a place of reconciliation to celebrate diversity and healing.
Click here for the artist statement.
This piece was originally inspired by the New Westminster Museums and Archives during an artist intensive where student-artists would choose an aspect of the museum (historical event/person or artifact), to develop artwork from. Melisa Hernandez P created three pieces, each reminded the viewer that what they know of Canada isn’t the whole story.
Hernandez P acknowledges and is thankful to be welcomed to perform on the unceded territory of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations.
Article in the Georgia Straight: https://www.straight.com/life/954211/harambecouver-canadas-first-diversity-and-reconciliation-parade-takes-place-vancouver
Instagram post (follow me!): https://www.instagram.com/p/BaIYAgYloTF/?igref=ogexp