VMF Alumni Tafui Leads VAG Project for Black Youth Design
Last summer, Tafui created a stunning mural wrapping an entire building in South Granville for Vancouver Mural Festival 2020. Now, she's leading a new project with Vancouver Art Gallery where all proceeds from sales of a special limited run print will be used to provide funds for a scholarship in support of the Black Youth Design Initiative at the Ontario College of Art & Design University, Toronto.
"My goal with this project is to raise funds for a scholarship in honour of my late father to give the gift he gave to me to someone else - the gift of education. I've donated prints of my artwork from the current group show "Where Do We Go from Here" at the VAG. The Art Prints are organized by the VAG, who pledged 50% of the overall profit towards the scholarship. The main goal of the scholarship is to support tuition fees for a Black student at OCAD University. OCAD is home to Dean Dori, the first Black dean of design (ever), and her goal is to decolonize design."
Tafui is an independent Artist and Designer, originally from Xaymaca / Kingston, Jamaica. Her work spans various media which includes fine art, surface pattern design, illustration, spatial design, communication and product design. There is a common theme & language of unity in her work where each symbol has a meaning. She is mainly known for her bold black and white abstract, repeating patterns, that embellish many of her products.
She currently produces environmentally responsible home products and licenses her work to clients. Her work is inspired by her love for indigenous cultures, modern design and traditional textile techniques, that adds a unique aesthetic to the modern retail experience. Her diverse body of work includes art prints, wallpapers, textile, tableware, and stationery.
She works between Algonquin territories / Ottawa and Musqueam/Squamish/Tsleil-Waututh territories / Vancouver Canada.
You can view Tafui’s hand-painted mural currently on view at the Gallery in “Where Do We Go From Here” and watch her IG takeover posts on @vanartgallery’s feed from mid February.
VMF: This is such an inspiring project between you, the VAG, and OCAD. How did it all come together?
T: It all came together in a very organic way last year while I was painting the mural. Painting has always been a huge pacifier for me, and closing off a year like 2020 with a giant painting was well needed.
It gave me time to reflect on the year and the call for racial equality with attention to black lives. All I could think about was a little girl who lost her father (George Floyd). Then I began to think about my father and what he meant to me. It was also my second show of the year. A few months before, I had some moving conversation with young black artist students expressing what it meant to themselves reflected in a formal gallery setting. I never saw myself as a role model or as an inspiration to others. I just thought I was doing my job and living out my dreams by doing what I love to do. Many people need to see someone who looks like them doing something they would love to do before thinking it's possible.
I knew that without my father's help and continuous encouragement, I would not be the person I am today, and I wanted to honour his life by passing on one of the gifts he gave to me. My father wasn't a wealthy man, but he believed in me and fully supported all my dreams and nurtured curiosity. I know that many people don't have that support I had, and many people still think that an education in the arts is a waste of time and money. Many kids, especially in racialized groups, are discouraged from going to art school, so I wanted to provide a way for that to be possible.
I chose OCAD because of the decolonization work of Dean Dori; she is the first black female dean of design anywhere. I know that it will positively impact the Canadian arts & design culture in years to come, and I wanted to do my part.
When I presented the idea to the VAG, they were very receptive; it was also a crazy idea at first. I proposed that they cut the drywall out and auction the artwork, but unfortunately, the mural is on a structural wall, so the print idea came after.
“...education is the key to freedom and as an artist, freedom of expression is the ultimate goal.”
VMF: Can you tell us more about your mural “Patois” that you’re featuring for this project and what inspired it?
T: "Patois is the language that my enslaved ancestors created because they could not speak in their indigenous tongue. It's a combination of English, various West African languages and Spanish. It's also the language most Jamaicans start out talking before entering a formal school setting, where they are taught English. Unfortunately, in Jamaica, Patois is still viewed as an informal form of speaking and often called "bad English" when it's not English.
For me, patois is the language that says we survived and a celebration of that.
Last year was a reminder of that.
VMF: The bold black and white abstract patterns in your work are incredibly eye-catching. How did you develop your style of work?
T: There are so many things that inspire my patternful monochromatic artworks, I would say the main inspiration is my love for the way indigenous peoples from across the globe often use mark making and symbolism to tell their stories. I particularly love pre-colonial indigenous textile. As I began to study the different cultures, I noticed so many similarities in the way they told stories and their reverence of nature. Most of my ideas and inspiration come from my winter walks, usually by the open water, because I am obsessed with water.
VMF: This print is a detail from your large hand-painted mural in the Vancouver Art Gallery. Is there anything that drew you to choosing this specific section of your mural as the print?
T: I really loved that section of the mural and thought it would be perfect for the print.
VMF: You talk about the use of pattern making and symbolism as a source of storytelling. Can you expand a little more on that?
T: Many people don't know this, but my patterns & symbols all together tell a story, and I love it when people create their own story about my work after experiencing it.
VMF: We love the passing of the gift of education in this initiative. How did your father’s gift of education have an impact on your life?
T: I'm eternally grateful to my supportive dad, who knew that education is the key to freedom and as an artist, freedom of expression is the ultimate goal.
My post-secondary education in Art opened me to so many different avenues that I never considered before. I discovered new mediums, but I also realized how much I love woodworking, textile, and product design. My education in the arts allows me to see the world in a different light.
VMF: Do you have any more upcoming projects that you can give us a sneak peek into?
T: I'm also proud to say that Native Shoes has also partnered with me to help bring awareness to the fundraiser so that you can look for that in the coming weeks.
I'm always dreaming of loads of exciting new things and trying to make them possible! I'm currently adding my original artwork to my online store.
I'm also introducing my first collection of wearables; I've always been a fan of multi-purpose scarves and beach wrap.
I'm also launching a West coast inspired fabric and wallpaper collection this summer, so stay tuned.
Tafui’s stunning VMF2020 mural that wraps an entire building can be found on the corner of Granville & West 15th Avenue. Download the VMF Mobile App to find and learn more about 250+ murals in Vancouver.