By Any Medium Necessary

Date: Friday March 7, 6-7:30pm 
Schedule: 6-7pm, panel discussion , 7-7:30 James street banner unveiling 
Panelists: Sahra Soudi, Nala Ismacil, Jeff Chow
Moderated by: Sanaa Humayun

Join James gallery exhibiting artist Sahra Soudi in conversation with artists and organizers Nala Ismacil and Jeff Chow as they discuss the themes in their exhibition, “What Moves Us in The Middle.” Soudi asks viewers to consider the words of Toni Cade Bambara who writes that the role of artists is to make the revolution irresistible. How can artists mobilize their artistic practices in service of collective action? What does it mean to use art as a tool for dreaming and for world building and not just apolitical decoration? With the rise of facism and the apocalyptic nature of the climate crisis, what does it mean to make art in service of our collective future? 

After the conversation we’ll move outside to James street to view the unveiling of the new James Street banner painted by Sahra Soudi. 

 

Bios: 

Sahra Soudi is a multidisciplinary artist, curator, educator, and community organizer based in Hamilton, Ontario. They combine their activism and artistic practice to envision better and more just futures for all. Soudi advocates for the inclusion and participation of Black, Indigenous, disabled, and racialized communities in a range of settings, from artist-run centres, and DIY venues, to national galleries. Soudi is an emerging artist and curator, passionate about cross-movement solidarity and disability justice. They honour this framework by empowering and mobilizing their communities to push for radical change.

Nala Ismacil (aka nomad nala) is an artist based in Onón:takon (Hamilton). Their work combines DJing, pyrography, sound, and assemblage. Nala’s artistic roots are firmly planted in BIPOC DIY punk spaces. The raw energy of making zines with other people and booking underground shows from their early days has significantly influenced their approach to art-making and collaboration. Whether through the beats of a DJ set, the textured depths of a collage piece or tending to their garden, Nala embodies the Black and queer traditions of experimentation and rebellion.

For Nala, living creatively means continually challenging themselves and experimenting with those around them in the pursuit of a more liveable future. They aspire for their art to evoke emotions, provoke thought, and perhaps unsettle viewers. 

Jeff Chow is a self-taught DJ and event organizer from Hong Kong and Hamilton, Ontario. In 2023, he founded Places, a radio-DJ collective dedicated to fostering Hamilton’s electronic music scene through workshops, radio shows, and events. He likes dancing and making things.