How artist Onyeka Oduh is creating community virtually during Pride Month

Toronto-based artist Onyeka Oduh draws on the past - specifically the 60's and 70's - to reflect the present in their art. We asked Onyeka to create an image that spoke to what Pride Month means in the current moment, you can see the artwork below.

How do you create community while apart in the midst of a pandemic? Where can you find joy in the midst of challenging times this Pride Month?

Read Onyeka's responses below.

Onyeka Oduh
Multidisciplinary Artist
Toronto, ON

Tell us about yourself and your work.

I am a Black queer non-binary multidisciplinary artist. My focus is in film, that's what I studied. I'm also graphic designer and writer. A lot of my work is inspired by stuff that I was interested in when I was young: 60's and 70's films, the psychedelic, existential dread, coming-of-age. Being in a place that is different to you, but familiar.

Check out Onyeka's Pride Month design below:

Since Pride Month celebrations aren't taking place in-person this year - how have you found community?

At the start of the pandemic I packed my bags and moved in with my partner. We've been quarantining for the past few months together, and I also have a close group of friends as my chosen family. We do movie nights together, talk, connect and catch up with each other.

I've been tuned in to quite a few online events, including queer comedy and burlesque shows. I've been lucky enough to be part of a mentorship program. My mentor is Andria Wilson, the executive director of the Inside Out Film Festival. She's helping get my art and presence organized, and coaching me through navigating the industry in this weird time.

What does support look like for you right now?

I lost my job due to COVID-19. It's been an opportunity to focus on my art, but there are other things to worry about like living life, feeding yourself and having a place to live. There are lot more resources to support artists available since quarantine began. I love the camaraderie and being able to speak to people about the different things going on in our lives; knowing that everyone is going through the same thing, especially other artists.

Part of the Proud To Shine campaign involves shining a light on others doing great things. Is there another person you would like to give a shout out to?

Daniel Laspres is a Toronto-based Latinx queer photographer. Daniel does a lot of portraits that features queer subjects that show the beauty and diversity in queerness.

Jade Niles-Craig is a queer Black comedian based in Toronto producing a bi-weekly comedy show called Cyber Sets. That's getting us through quarantine with some laughs.

Goldbloom Micomonaco is a queer Toronto-based filmmaker making amazing coming-of-age content that's going to change the way people view queer and trans people in cinema.

Responses have been edited for length and clarity.

Follow Onyeka's work on Instagram here.