YANAMINAH the curator of art.

My name is Yanaminah

I'm a multidisciplinary curator and creative based in Toronto

Your art often feels deeply personal—how do you channel your inner experiences into your creative work?

Firstly, I work through questions I’ve had about my own personal development and also my view on world issues. I like to think about the ways we are all interconnected whether it’s through joy, social media, and even economic crisis. My creative work is both introspection and catharsis.

What’s the most challenging project you’ve ever worked on, and how did it shape you as an artist?

My most challenging project was my first exhibit “we do not dream of labour”, which unironically required a lot of labour. I had 30+ artist and 50+ artworks to manage. There was something to prove to myself and so many other people at that point because I didn’t come from a traditional art background. I also knew that I was carrying the weight of community and ensuring our voices were heard in a space that historically didn’t represent Black artists. It shaped me as an artist because it allowed me to develop other emerging artists while newly becoming a curator at the same time. It stretched my capacity way past a limit than I could’ve imagined, it empowered my decision-making skills and my trust in my vision. It expanded my networks in every way. It led me to more creative opportunities and collaborations. It set the tone for what my career looks like now. I needed that.

How do you approach balancing the vulnerability of sharing your work with the world while protecting your creative spirit?

Balancing these two aspects is a constant journey. I find that authenticity is key. I also speak through my most genuine self and a lot of people connect with that. I do a series on Instagram where I show people the behind the scenes of my work because I want to exercise my vulnerability in that way. What is nice about being a curator is that I get to tell stories through other people’s mediums. I get to amplify other people’s narratives as it aligns with my vision and create shows out of this. The vulnerability is required from everyone in the process and it’s a beautiful thing to get to share that but also bring that out of others.

Another one of my creative medium’s is poetry (and spoken word) which a lot of people don’t know. I often do open mics and it’s just one of those things I don’t share on social media as often. I guess I also do this to protect that aspect of my creative spirit. Writing was my first creative love and I believe where I’m most vulnerable so I keep that close.

In a world that increasingly values speed and output, how do you maintain authenticity in your creative practice?

I try to go at my own pace and remind myself that my supports and communities will always be there when I’m ready. I feel like this pressure around speed or perhaps instant gratification comes from constant sharing on social media. I know that the output is rooted in capitalism and I can’t help but get caught up in that sometimes. No matter what, I don’t let that compromise my authenticity in my creative practice. When I’m sharing on social media, I like to come from a genuine place so I try not to rush myself there so I often post long after my experiences.

In my curatorial practice, I often collaborate on a timeline with artists (and others involved) so it allows for ideas to flow. With the events I host, I’ve learned that while there’s benefit to being booked and busy, it’s important to go at a steady pace. It can be overstimulating at times but also draining so I often say no to certain opportunities if my schedule becomes to back to back. At times, there are last minute schedule changes and timing that could be out of my control, but I try to prioritize my wellbeing no matter what. That’s how I stay true to myself.

What inspires your creative process the most: people, places, or emotions? Why?

People inspire me the most. They are the driving force behind my art, allowing me to express the full spectrum of human experience. I love people and I’ve always been a social and extroverted person. I am fascinated by the complexities of our emotions, actions, and thoughts. I like to find the connections between us all almost in a sociological way. I believe God also inspires me most because he is the first creative and The Creator. Often times, I could just be chilling or interacting with somebody and an idea just comes to me immediately, and I believe that is spiritual