Hello! Today I am sharing another instalment of the Bia-SHE-ara portrait series. Today's feature is on Anique Jordan who is a Toronto based artist. Anique's work has been featured on many platforms including the Art Gallery of Ontario. These portraits of Anique were taken back in the summer hence the sunny skies (much different from the cold windy weather we are having here in Toronto at the moment).

Tell us a little about yourself?

I am an artist that is still trying to understand what it means to be an artist. I am a community organizer. I am a daughter, sister and niece.

How did you become an entrepreneur?

I was always an entrepreneur by nature but entrepreneurship is what brought me to art because of an obsession in understanding how we survive and all the different ways we can survive. 

What are your ultimate career aspirations or dream project?

I want to work with little black girls in Scarborough to create a massive intervention into the city scape.

What inspires you?

I am inspired by the little people inside of us because I think they remind us of our humanity and why survival is important.

Tell us about the work  that you are currently doing and the work that you had going on at the Art Gallery Of Ontario in the summer?

Currently I am the director of the Whippersnapper Gallery. It is a gallery for emerging artists. It provides them with resources and development opportunities to create public programming that starts conversations.

Over the summer I was invited by the Art Gallery of Ontario to take part in an exhibition about one of the Group of Seven members; The Canadian painter Lawren Harris. While Lawren Harris was famous for his paintings of snow capped mountains and blue skies I chose to explore his paintings of a once complex and culturally diverse neighbourhood called The Ward. My contribution to the exhibition consisted of two photo based pieces and one live performance. 

What are some of the challenges that you have faced as an entrepreneur and artist?

The hustle is real! I never lose the hustle but it is definitely a real thing!

How have you dealt with those challenges?

I find my Island. As the RZA (of Wu-Tang Clan) would say I find my island and sometimes a little isolation can jumpstart and give you the space to think it through and reaffirm your direction and purpose.

If you can leave the readers of this blog with one inspirational message what would you say?

There is a drum shop in Kensington Market run by Saikou Saho and he once said these very compelling words; " Step in the Shadow of those who came before you. They will help to shield the sun

l would like to thank Anique for making the time to be a part of this blog series and I hope you will check out and support her work at www.aniquejjordan.com

BiaSHEara is a group founded by Christina Muia and Karimah Gheddai that works on promoting women in Business.