Channelling is the sequel to Canaan Brown's project The Naval Spirit: a fictional memoir based on the life of a Black sailor, called Joseph Johnson, who
served in the British Navy between the 18th and 19th Century. Re-imagining Johnson as a magical figure, able to communicate with spirits, Channelling explores the sailor's return to land after being disbanded from his service in the Navy.
Soundtrack made in collaboration with Busina Heather.
Soundtrack made in collaboration with Busina Heather.
Overarching Project: Channelling, 2022
The Body of Work:
Channelling draws inspiration from Afro-Atlantic naval histories, Caribbean mythology, and the Taíno - an indigenous civilisation in the Caribbean who, prior to European colonisation, idolised spirits and deities called Zemís.
The Wrath of Bayamanaco / The Birth of Caguama’s World is a painting inspired by the Taino people - a people who inhabited The Greater Antilles (modernly known as the Caribbean Islands) prior to European colonisation. Depicting a Taino creation story, the piece explores the Zemí (spirits) and sculptures which formed a significant part of Taino culture, spirituality, and historical legacies.
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Acrylic on wove board (508mm x 760mm) |
Cuhoba: Welcome to the Spirit Realm is a digital illustration inspired by Brown’s research into ‘cuhoba’ - a state-altering substance used by Taino Arawaks in the Greater Antilles up until the 16th century, which was believed to elevate its users to the realm of spirits and gods, during hallucinogenic rituals. Using complex layering on a large scale, this piece meditates upon how Atlantic cultures and diasporan spirituality can be represented in space.
Digital Print, Gloss Paper (1168 mm x 635 mm)
Digital Print, Gloss Paper (1168 mm x 635 mm)
New World is a piece that was initially created for Into The a student-led exhibition at the Birmingham School of Art. With parallels to the fiction and surrealism of The Naval Spirit, New World is a short story written by Canaan Brown, which has been blown up, manipulated and refigured - echoing the parallel dimension about which the story is written; a chaotic, exciting journey into an uncharted new world.
Matte paper (841mm x 1188mm)
Matte paper (841mm x 1188mm)