Signs across campus encourage wayfinding in the physical sense 鈥� finding libraries, academic buildings, and other facilities. Paintings, portraits, exhibitions and installations are signs in their own way, but of community and place-making.听
This year's H漫画听African Heritage Month听theme of "Celebrating the Legacy and Future of Black Creativity" provides an opportunity to showcase Black art across campus.听
The self-guided walk detailed below will lead you to 12 powerful pieces. These artworks encourage reflection on the power of Black resistance and creativity that have long been catalysts for socio-economic change, innovation, education, and research.听
Looking for a piece for your space? Learn more about the from the H漫画 Art Gallery or听 with questions about commissioning a piece.听
Starting on Sexton Campus
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Here We Are Here
Emera IDEA Building, first floor lobby
1345 Norma Eddy Lane
This installation by Sylvia D. Hamilton is a memorial; "a witness to the lives of people of African descent in Nova Scotia from our earliest presence as enslaved people." By naming names, it inscribes their presence in the only place they have ever called home, even when that place was neither welcoming nor hospitable to them. The work asserts, here we are here, and we have been here, for hundreds of years.
Watch now:
Portrait of Gladys West
Sexton Library
Gladys West is an American mathematician whose modeling of Earth鈥檚 shape and satellite land surveys contributed to the creation of GPS.听
Glady's portrait is included in听.
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On Carleton Campus
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On their shoulders听
Dentistry Building, level 2 reception area
5981 University Avenue听
This piece by Vanessa Thomas represents understanding history to appreciate the present. The bottom of the piece is filled with 鈥楴otable Nova Scotians鈥� 鈥� a project that highlights influential Black people in the province and represents growth, possibilities, and potential that has been paved.听
On CBC News:
Intertwined听
Dentistry Building, level 1 reception area
5981 University Avenue
Artist Ibe Ananaba was commissioned to paint a new mural in the Dentistry Building. The piece reflects the core and intertwined values that shape a seven-year, ongoing partnership between Dal Dentistry and GreenShield in advocacy for hope, good health, safety and sustainability.听
Read more: New mural celebrates partnership and better health for all
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On Studley Campus
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Down Home
H漫画 Art Gallery
6101 University Avenue
Down Home鈥痠s an exhibition that brings together nine contemporary artists of African Nova Scotian and African Canadian descent, whose portraits and mixed-media works explore鈥痙ifferent aspects of self, family, and community.
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Oluseye: by Faith and听Grit
H漫画 Art Gallery
6101 University Avenue
Oluseye: by Faith and Grit听explores the echoes of history and memory through the transformative lens of听Nigerian-Canadian artist Oluseye. Engaging with Black Nova Scotian culture and African diasporic experiences, Oluseye uses his signature 鈥渄iasporic debris鈥� 鈥� found objects and materials rich with historical and contemporary resonance 鈥� to create installations that honour resilience, creativity, and faith.听
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Paintings from The Gambia
Black Student Advising Centre, reception
1321 Edward Street
By Babacarr, a self-taught artist who explores various mediums for their work, these paintings reflect images of life in The Gambia in West Africa.听
The paintings are on loan from Dr. Barb Hamilton-Hinch's personal collection.听
Underground Railroad Pattern Blocks
Weldon Law Building, 2nd floor atrium
6061 University Avenue
This quilt installation by Anja Clyke draws on the powerful legacy of secret codes and patterns believed to have guided freedom-seekers along the Underground Railroad.听
Rocky Jones
Weldon Law Building, 2nd floor atrium
6061 University Avenue
This piece by Bruce John Wood pays tribute to Burnley 鈥淩ocky鈥� Jones, a champion of education, tireless advocate for social justice and human rights, and instrumental figure in the establishment of H漫画鈥檚 Transition Year Program and the Indigenous Blacks and Mi鈥檏maq Initiative.听
Read more: Remembering 鈥淩ocky鈥�
Freedom Halifax 1814
McCain Learning Commons
6305 Castine Way
By Richard Rudnicki, this piece commemorates the Halifax arrival of black refugees from the Chesapeake area of Maryland and Virginia in 1814. The painting is thought to be the only image ever created to mark this important milestone in Nova Scotia history.
Read more: Painting commemorating migration of Black refugees to Nova Scotia on special loan from Army Museum
Black Women on the Margins (OTM) Traveling Quilt
School of Social Work
Mona Campbell Building, third floor
1459 LeMarchant Street
The Quilt was designed by members of the Weymouth and Area Community Development Society, supported by municipalities and boards in Nova Scotia, to help create awareness and dialogue about health concerns that emerged in the On The Margins research project led by Dr. Wanda Thomas Bernard. The project investigated health status, health-care delivery, and use of health services among African-Canadian women residing in rural and remote regions of the province.听
Read more in DalSpace:
Read more about the research project in the Canadian Journal of Nursing Research Archive:
Watch now:
The Revolutionary Act of Black Joy
People and Culture, reception area
Henry Hicks Building, 6283 Alumni Crescent听
This portrait by artist Duane Jones recognizes anger as an important element of resistance but that it cannot be sustained long-term without rest. Experiencing joy is not only a way to replenish during times of resistance but it is also an act of defiance against those who seek to oppress.听
In DAL Magazine: 24 hours with Duane Jones
Did we miss a piece of art you think should be included? Drop us a line to let us know.