Prominent artists examine the meaning of power in their practice at DXC24’s Art Power Panel, moderated by OCAD U President, Ana Serrano

OCAD University’s ongoing participation in Toronto's annual DemocracyXChange Summit – alongside co-presenters the Dais at Toronto Metropolitan University and the Open Democracy Project – is one example of how Canada’s oldest and largest art and design university is driving positive impact and creating engaging discussions on current societal issues.

OCAD U has released the first video in the 2024-25 President’s Speaker Series, which aims to showcase compelling, engaging and unique voices on issues that are shaping the present and future of Canadian society, drawn from the dynamic program of DXC24. The series is a continuation of the summit’s important conversations on the role of art and design in protecting democracy.  

The Art Power Panel, that was originally moderated by OCAD U President Ana Serrano on April 13, 2024, as part of DemocracyXChange, features a discussion between renowned artists about how their practices reposition the meaning of power. Participating artists, Rocky Dobey, Khadijah Morley, Ekow Nimako and Fiona Smyth drew upon their work as part of the exhibit, power, on display at OCAD U’s flagship gallery Onsite Gallery in early 2024, and curated by the gallery’s senior curator, Lisa Deanne Smith.

power offered artworks that challenged dominant colonial, capitalist and state capitalist worldviews. The above artists used their eloquent sculpture, drawing, painting, installation, video and curatorial practices to inspire and reflect on ways of being that reposition the meaning of power to be grounded in respect, cooperation and emotional intelligence.

Dobey’s decades-long career focuses on street art and political causes while Morley’s autobiographical work is informed by her lived experience as a Black woman in Canada born of Jamaican immigrants. Nimako crafts whimsical sculptures using LEGO® and explores Afrofuturism, Africanfuturism and Black narratives while Smyth is a feminist painter, illustrator, cartoonist and comics educator.

Stay tuned for two more videos in the series – with the next one coming in October 2024.

“We hope you enjoy this series recorded at DXC24 and we look forward to seeing you at the next summit in April 2025” — Ana Serrano, President and Vice-Chancellor, OCAD University