Curated by Wan Lucas, 143 (I Love You) is a group exhibit taking place in the West Wing of the Station that features original works by eight notable Toronto-based Black artists, including seven photographers (Yannick Anton, Ishmil Waterman, Nathalia Amillionminds Allen, Soteeoh, Wade Hudson, Brianna Roye, Gillian Mapp) and one illustrator (Alexis Eke) who explore the various manifestations of love, from the familial to the romantic. In 143, Black love and unity are acknowledged, elevated, and celebrated through images that are both testimony and inspiration. Here, the statement "I love you" is both proclamation and declaration, revealing strength through vulnerability. 143 (I Love You) highlights an underrepresented side of the community's day-to-day living. Black. Love.

The title of the exhibition,143, was a numerical shorthand in common usage during the early 1990s when pagers were as ubiquitous as personal communication devices. Predating the emoji, 143 was pager shorthand for the phrase "I LOVE YOU" with each number corresponding to the number of letters in each word. The images represent meditations on what Black love means to Black people in their own multitudes. Likewise, 143 highlights a dizzying array of talented multi-disciplinary artists and unique personalities from within Toronto’s Black community. This profound multi-layered exhibit boasts images of a broad spectrum of the community and its diverse representations of love; from children, youth, elderly, brotherly and sisterly love, to queer, special needs, and multi-generational love. 143 displays the breadth of Toronto's Black community, through the wide range of community subjects it documents.

143 (I Love You) also includes the presentation of the work of ingenious illustrator and designer Alexis Eke in the Oak Room. The installation, titled "Root," is an original commission consisting of a profound and masterful Eke illustration based on a portrait of one of the photographer's (Ishmil Waterman) families. Eke also brings together four of her own separate works that aim to illustrate Black Canadian community self-love and familial love, using her compelling signature style inspired by renaissance portraits and traditional Japanese art.

Union is a platform that opens us up to the possibility of connections among all of us. The fact that this significant Black History Month exhibit is being hosted at Toronto's Union Station is both timely and topical. The word ‘Union’ is defined as the act of joining, and every year millions of people use Toronto’s Union Station as a connection point to rejoin their loved ones, homes, and communities. As a hub and the gateway to the city, Union links us to familiar and unfamiliar people and places. Just as Union Station helps us make connections, this exhibit will help guide Torontonians of all cultural stripes to come make a connection with Toronto’s thriving Black multi-disciplinary arts community. Come experience the free admission launch event on Thursday, February 6th, hosted by radio/TV personality Jemeni, featuring an engaging panel discussion with select artists, and music provided by DJ Agile.

143 (I Love You)
Black History Month Exhibit Sponsored by TD
Union Station - Toronto

Venue: Union Station (65 Front St. West)
Launch: Thursday, February 6th, 2020
Time: 7pm - 9pm
Admission: Free
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