Vibrational medicine in colour & form.
Close your eyes, take a deep breath.
Now open your eyes and see the art with your heart.
Art by Althea Knight
“Art for the Soul” Commissions available.
Contact Althea (selfcareandwellness@gmail.com) for more details.
See more of Althea's Paintings on Instagram
Gardiner Museum Exhibition
#WeBelieveSurvivors
Gardiner Museum Expressive Arts Group Exhibition
#WeBelieveSurvivors
December 6 - 13, 2016
Vessel/vase/basket
UDU drum
5 cups
UDU you think you are?…
It began with the vision of a crowning – a rebirth if you will, and then one by one, they came forth, the instruments required for a healing practice, a reminder from the ancients. A sacred ceremony for myself and all my relations- young girls, women and the elders too and it must be said for boys and men too. This is for all those, who have come before and after me who were brutalized internally and externally by individuals and groups who: 1)Deemed it justified for their own profit, pleasure and/or benefit, 2)Dominated and oppressed because of what they lacked within, 3)Were brutalized themselves and continued the brutalization forward. And these pieces, this ceremony I have created is soul medicine for the internal and external screams that were denied, ignored, written out of the popular his/herstories of what has happened in families, in communities, in this country, on this continent and in the cosmos.
I hear you.
I hear your screams.
I feel you.
I am you.
And no longer will I be silent.
Through clay, the women, the circle, hands, head and heart, with ancestral memories of ceremony, community and coming together in creation, sound and movement: We, Us, I heal the wounds away; releasing memory, pain, sadness and anger with every coil used to create shape and form, while unleashing power & joy; taking space in organic ways, much like the locks on my head. This “sticky fine-grained earth, lead me to the waters of Crete, the shores of Japan, the Continent containing Nigeria and the Igbo peoples, the island once known as Xamayca and now I am home again within me, emboldened to share what I know to be true.
A Basket, an UDU drum, and 5 Cups
The basket made of coils, and spirals embodying the energy of the Divine Feminine, can be used to carry the water or palm wine for nourishment and celebration. The UDU – has many functions. Udu is an Igbo word for pottery, peace, vessel, pot, or drum, traditionally made and played by Igbo women in Nigeria with the clay gathered in sacred practices. When the UDU is played it is said to evoke the voices of the ancestors, spirits, and the Gods for help and guidance in healing rituals. There is more of this UDU/ Peace within me now after this clay exploration and process. 5 cups – 5 is significant of change, the 5 elements, creative manifestation and freedom to pursue that which my heart desires from this day forth. These cups representative of the women gathering together in the healing circle today and in ancient times. May there be healing for all those who need it whether they know it or not. May the stories be told, listened to and learned from. May true justice, safety and joy reign for all. Thank you to all the women in this beautiful group who shared emotions, ideas, kindness, gentleness, humour, and courage as we gathered together in this space of creation and care. Thank you to our teachers and facilitators where the responses of: “Yes”, “sure we can”, “Try it”, “Take space, you don’t have to go small”, “Whatever you like” “What can I get you?” “What do you need?” fueled my soul and imagination. To the staff of and the Gardiner Museum itself and the Barbara Schlifer Commemorative Clinic, I thank you; to work with clay was a dream long deferred – no longer so – this healing has long been waiting to happen - renewed I am as creator & healer. Walk Good. In gratitude and love, Althea E. Knight
About Face Launch at the Lieutenant Governor’s Residence, Queen’s Park at the invitation of former Lieutenant Governor David Onley and his wife Ruth Ann Onley. Singing with Aqua Nibi Waawaaskone, Red River and Women from the Community
PORTFOLIO
Althea E. Knight BEd, MAC, WRAP 2
Creativity Consultant & Artist | Mental Health & Wellness Innovator | Community Builder & Educator
Education and Professional Development
Pottery Workshops, Inspirations Studios 2019
Upcoming Fall/Winter workshops facilitated by Marc Eagen, Shary Boyle, and Lindsay Montgomery
Basics of Pottery, Inspirations Studios 2019
Wheel throwing, glazing, handbuilding and design
Introduction to Ceramic Sculpture, Inspirations Studios 2017
Course led by Gudren Olafsdottir
Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic Expressive Arts Group, The Gardiner Museum 2016
Course led by Art therapist Suzanne Thomson, and Ceramicist Jess Riva Cooper
Bachelor of Arts in Education, Concordia University 1994
Teaching English as a Second Language specialization
Visual Art - Selected Solo Shows
“Art as medicine: Transformational Healing” The Nova Gorica Centre for Healing Arts, Slovenia 2008
Acrylic on paper and canvas
Althea Knight: “Art, for the Soul” Venus Envy, Ottawa 2007
Acrylic paintings on canvas
“Knight Visions” Soupçon Bistro , Wakefield, Quebec 2005
Mixed media on canvas
Rwandan Genocide 10th Year Commemoration, Ottawa 2004
“Art for the Soul” The Black Tomato Restaurant, Ottawa 2002
Mixed media on found windows, burlap, canvas, and paper
Visual Art - Selected Group Shows
Workman Arts Showcase, Clay vases and worry stones, Gudren Olafsdottir,Toronto 2017
#WeBelieveSurvivors, “UDU think you are,” Gardiner Museum, Toronto 2016
Curated by Jess Riva, Suzanne Thomson
Nádasdy Foundation for Fine Arts and The Environment Fundraiser, Ottawa 2006
“Identity & the Soul: Selected works by Althea Knight”, Arts Court, Ottawa 2005
Human Rights through Art, Canadian Human Rights Commission, Toronto 2004
Art in the Park, Andrew Haydon Park Ottawa & Chelsea Market, Quebec 2003-05
Performance - Singing and Hand Drumming
“Finding Our Voices Together”, #WeBelieveSurvivors, Gardiner Museum, Toronto 2013, 2015-16
Native Learning Center East Grand Opening with Women & Children in Community, Toronto 2014
Weekly Drumming Circle with Aqua Nibi Waawaaskone (Rennie), 2012 - 13
Native Women’s Transition House, Parkdale
About Face Launch, Lieutenant Governor's Residence, Toronto 2013
Co-performed with Aqua Nibi Waawaaskone (Rennie), and Red River & Women in Community
Kobo and Free The Children Aboriginal Literacy Speaking Tour Launch, Kobo HQ, Toronto 2013
Toronto Pride “Women in the Community” Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, Toronto 2013
Native Canadian Centre of Toronto, Community drumming w/ Aqua Nibi Waawaaskone(Rennie) 2012-13
Performance - Theatre and Film
Director, dramaturgist, publicist for Bryan James’ play “Stockholme” Arts Court, Ottawa, 2005
- Edited scripts, scheduled rehearsals, production coordination, designed and built props, co-ordinated technical requirements, arranged for transportation
- Designed and implemented media campaigns and promotions, created soundtrack, photo credit
Stage Manager, technical director, & puppet stylist for “Baggage” Nat. Lib. & Archives, Ottawa 2004
Speaking “Extra” in Kim Masse’s film “Happy New Year”, Paris, France 1995
Improv Actor in Albert Neremberg’s Improv Troupe, Montreal 1994
Actor in Roshell Bisset’s short film, “The Alchemy of Love”, Concordia University, Montreal 1993
Commissions and Private Collections
Spirit Appears, acrylic on canvas, commissioned by N. Walters, Toronto 2018
Spirit in Search of Faith Found, acrylic on canvas, commissioned by Victoria Rummler, Paris 2016
Alchemical Nautilus & Sunflower, acrylic on canvas, commissioned by Lorraine and Joe Bautista 2012/13
Petal Moon, mixed media on canvas, commissioned by M Trumbach, Toronto 2011
Surrounded by cosmic interplay - about to birth, acrylic on canvas, C. Gibbs, Toronto 2008
Blossoming Heart, acrylic on canvas, C. Burcheri, Montreal 2010
Blue Note Soul Call, acrylic on canvas, C. Knight, Toronto 2008
With more love and healing we give ourselves and the planet the right to be free, acrylic on canvas 2004
Willie Rangira, Ottawa
Dreadlock Flower Power, acrylic on canvas, Shirley Hamm, Ottawa 2004
Flow, acrylic on wood, Antonio Parco, Italy 2003
Ancestral Vibrational Path, Violet Johnson, London, England 2003
Artwork also held in private collections in Italy (Antonio Parco), France, Japan (Keiko Waki), Canada(Miki Mitchell, Stacey Mullings, Jean Brown), England, and the U.S.
Memberships and Affiliations
Inspirations Studio 2019
Workman Arts
Umbrella Love Art Cards
Umbrella Love Art Cards
Spreading Love Across the Planet
25% of sales donated to youth programming in Portland, Jamaica
The Umbrella Love Art Card Series
are printed on Earth Friendly Materials
90% Bamboo, 10% Cotton & Acid Free
Protected & preserved in re-sealable & acid free archival bag
Umbrella Love Art Cards
are available individually $6.25
In packs of 5 / $30, packs of 10 /$55
These distinctive cards are an excellent gift idea
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Umbrella Love Art Cards - Spreading Love Across the Planet
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