Tapilila
A STEPS PROJECT
PROJECT AT A GLANCE
Location: Agricola Street Brasserie, 2540 Agricola St, Halifax, NS
Artist: Kawama Kasutu
Year: 2022-2023
Photographer/Videographer: Basha Koncepts Media
Services: Artist Capacity Building
1
artist-in-residence
3
artist mentors
1
unveiling event
ABOUT THIS PROJECT
Through the CreateSpace Public Art Residency, emerging artist Kawama Kasutu took part in I HeART Main Street to create and install the Tapilila mural in Halifax’s North End Business Association. The artwork draws from her Zambian culture through the print and explores the symbolism of water across cultures, referencing irrigation systems as symbols of social connection. Kawama explains, “This project is significant to me because of my Zambian heritage. Tapilila is the Bemba word for “irrigate” with this piece symbolizing channels of joy that promote growth through streams of connection.” This project brought together the local community to unveil and celebrate this new public art project in Halifax’s North End.
“The impact I hope to see from this project is joy, and for it to flow through streams of connection. Whether that be people who connect as they both stop to see the mural, the connection people have from passing it every day, or the connection it has within the North End.”
– Kawama Kasutu, Artist-in-residence
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ABOUT THE ARTIST(S)
Kawama Kasutu
Lead Artist
Zambian born Artist Kawama Kasutu is a self-taught multidisciplinary artist fromHalifax, Nova Scotia. Kawama’s mediums include sewing, poetry, painting and sculpture. The Inspiration in her work often blooms from within her communities and from her passions for craftivism, community building and self-expression. Some of her most recent practices have focused on using art to create space for Black bodies within white colonial spaces, more specifically Victorian Fashion and the lingering ideals connected to The Black form.
PROJECT PARTNERS AND FUNDERS
The 2022 CreateSpace Residency is supported by the City of Toronto as part of ArtworxTO: Toronto’s Year of Public Art 2021 – 2022, TD Bank Group through the TD Ready Commitment, Canada Council for the Arts, and Ontario Arts Council. We also acknowledge the support of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation with funding provided by the Government of Canada.
I HeART Main Street 2023 is presented in partnership with RBC, and generously supported by Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, and funding provided by the Government of Ontario.
STEPS believes that public art should reflect the diverse identities and perspectives of the communities that host it. Artists have a critical role to play in shaping cities, and our Artist Capacity Building Programs are designed to amplify the work of Black, Indigenous, Persons of Colour, female, LGBTTQQIAAP and newcomer artists in public spaces.
Ready to get your project started with STEPS?