As we wrap up Pride month we want to end the month by highlighting one of our alum. Meet Queen Kukoyi a Black, Gender-Queer, Neurodivergent, Mad Multidisciplinary Artist and alum from our Scale Up Immersive Accelerator Progam. Queen’s practice encompasses Queer theory in a Meta-analytical Afrofuturistic convergence of art and technology, mindfulness, sound, and Noetic sciences through spoken word poetry, digital collage animations, AR, immersive experiences and installation work that touch on concepts surrounding the Afrofuturistic meditative space.
Queen has been serving the community for 20+ years, combating structural violence against Black and Indigenous youth through youth service resources, arts education programs in schools, community centres and justice advocacy. Queen believes it is integral that exposure to creative practices and free skill-based opportunities enables us to vocalise our stories. Queen is also the Founding co-lead and collaborative member of Oddside Arts, a grassroots cultural arts not-for-profit and creative technology artist collective, merging art, technology and wellness through Black speculative design.
“My experiences as both Black and Queer, combined with being AuDHD (having both Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD), profoundly shape my creative work, driving me to explore the intersectionality of identity through Afrofuturism 2.0, which blends creative technology, noetic science, meditation, and art. This perspective informs my advocacy and community engagement through Oddside Arts, aiming to support BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities by creating spaces for critical discussions about equity and accessibility. Through my art forms like spoken word poetry, digital collage, and installations, I express the complexities of my journey and those of others navigating similar intersections, fostering resilience, solidarity, and collective action” – Queen Kukoyi
The “Black Queer Love” series is an artistic exploration and celebration of the multifaceted experiences of Black Queer individuals. Informed by Igbo/Nigerian spirituality and ULI cultural markings, this series reimagines a future for Black, Gender-Queer, and folx with Mental Health to transcend systems of oppression. This series delves into themes of love, identity, and resilience, offering a powerful counter-narrative to the often marginalized voices within both the Black and LGBTQ+ communities.
Keep up with Queen and the ground breaking work they continue to create :
As Pride month draws to a close, it’s crucial to reflect on its significance beyond the festivities and parades. Pride is not just a celebration of identity but a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle for equality and acceptance. While Pride month may officially end, the spirit of Pride—of resilience, love, and advocacy—continues throughout the year in the ongoing fight for equality and justice for all.
And at OBAC we will continue to recognize the talent and resilience of Black Queer Creators through out the year.
Happy Pride Month! 🏳️🌈