At The Moment

This Woman’s Work explores the past, present, and futures of women’s work in Toronto – through the lens of women of colour. Apart of Intersections Festival.

And With These Hands explores the theme of emotional labour and intersectionality. It is an intimate conversation between me and my mother (June Shah) about her experiences of the unspoken burden or emotional labour she carried and continues to carry as a Black woman in a variety of roles such as wife, mother, daughter, co-worker, and citizen. The conversation is accompanied by visuals of her braiding hair – a loaded image of care and metaphorical symbol of community building and weaving notions of connection and belonging. Her dialogue is overlaid with the words of Dr. Angela Davis from her speech Black Women in America (1974) at the Black Women Spring Forum at UCLA. The speech speaks of the sacrifices of women throughout history and specifically their contribution to the civil rights movements. In light of the pandemic and resurgence of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement, the narrative of leadership, physical and emotional support of female identified bodies continues to hold merit. Special thanks to June and Monique Shah for their collaboration in the making of this piece.

Artist:
Farihah Shah - is a contemporary lens-based artist originally from Edmonton, AB now based in Bradford, ON. Her practice explores issues of racial identity, land and collective memory. She is a member of Gallery 44 and Women Photograph and has exhibited internationally in North America, Asia and Europe.

Link in bio for full online exhibit.