Bridges is Teesri Duniya’s visual and photographic exhibition by artists whose work is informed by their Diaspora, trans-national and cross-cultural experiences. The project seeks to build bridges across communities and nations in spite of history of conflict and turmoil.

BRIDGES: ART FOR SOCIAL CHANGE

Monument National Dec 6-22,2007

JASWANT GUDZER

Artist statement
The intertwining of cultural maps, migration jumps and therapeutic work with refugees and immigrants, are embedded in my art work whether in large canvases, handmade books, watercolour painting , collage or illustration of poetry or prose.

As a visual thinker the process of "free association" translates into the stream of consciousness implicit in the art productions. a visual diary of the migrant journey is a metaphoric window in the process of the work.

Constant drawing of relationships whether figurative or abstact are central to the process. an internal life in relation to different influences and identities is expressed in a visual language that allows me a window in to my hybrid being. the gaze of the Other is a prominent part of my portrait works , while making maps of life journeys is integral to the non figurative work.
the colours of india and the colours of my canadian life are intermingled as part of my visual language. often my work incorporates bits and pieces of my life journey collaged into the two dimensional surface. i think of my work as intimate letters to those who see the work and respond to it.

DARREN ELL

Background:  
Darren Ell is an independent photographer based in Montreal, Canada. He has studied Political Science, World Religions, Education and French Literature. He completed his Masters in Fine Arts in Photography at Montreal's Concordia University where his practice was shaped by contemporary artists such as Geneviève Cadieux, Evergon and Marisa Portolese. Darren's prime photographic interests are in portraiture, social documentary (national and international social and political issues) and public events (theatre, weddings, festivals).

Darren's artwork has been shown in Montreal at Dazibao, centre de photographies actuelles, the Leonard and Bina Ellen Gallery, Art Mûr, the VAV Gallery and Galérie Entre-Cadre, and in Regina at the Antechamber Gallery and Cinématheque. His photographs have been published in print and online with CBC-Radio-Canada, the Toronto Star, the National Post, Aljazeera International, La Presse, Dernière heure, Canadian Dimension, Briarpatch Magazine, Alternatives le journal and Siafu Magazine, Citizenshift (National Filmboard of Canada), ZNET, Electronic Intifada, Electronic Lebanon, Montreal Serai, MIFTAH (Jerusalem) and HaitiAction.

EHAB LOTAYEF

Artist's statement:
Art should be pleasing, comforting and enjoyable, but above all it should be thought provoking and informative.  I hope that my art, written or visual, will make you think of something you hadn't before or inform you of something you didn't already know, or both.  And ... enjoy.

Bio
Ehab Lotayef, is a Canadian poet, songwriter, playwright and photographer of Egyptian origin who has travelled extensively in the Middle East (including Iraq and Palestine) over the past years.  An IT engineer by profession, Ehab has also been always active in social justice movements, among which are, the struggle against Security Certificates, the Iraq anti-sanctions and anti-war movements and supporting Palestinian right as well as in Arab-Jewish Dialogue through Shalom/Salaam Montreal and the Montreal Dialogue Group both of which he helped found.  A published poet, an exhibited photographer and a playwright whose work was produced by the CBC Ehab also made headlines in Dec. of 2005 when he travelled to Iraq to advocate for the release of the Canadian CPT members taken hostage there, who were later freed.