Toronto muralist talks about the meaning of his work at Afro Caribbean Youth Awards

Phillip Saunders likes painting murals, but he also wants to help demystify the work that he does.

The Toronto-based muralist was speaking to the crowd at the second annual Afro Caribbean Youth Awards, held Saturday night, at the Davidson Centre in Kincardine.

“People don’t understand the work I do,” said Saunders. “I have themes that I work in, and my murals are community-centred.”

Projecting illustrations on a screen, he showed the crowd several murals he completed under the theme, “Love is Here,” in Toronto. The murals depict black love and what it means, as well as love for everybody. He also painted murals of spring tulips and love birds.

His “Love is Here No. 12” was a struggle to have completed because people objected to it. “Some walls are tougher to get than others,” said Saunders.

He then described the process he goes through to create a mural, beginning with a sketch or doodle which helps him scale the mural properly through a grid method.

Everyone at the event had received a package including Saunders’ drawing grid and was invited to “get into it and give it a shot.”

Besides murals, Saunders works in oil-painting, charcoal-drawing and digital illustrations. His work attempts to bond the past and present through figurative expressions nuanced in West African Igbo culture.

His artwork can be viewed locally as he is the creator of the Afrocentric mural featured at the Davidson Centre in Kincardine.

MC Xavier Hyre of Kincardine began the evening by welcoming everyone to the event, a night to recognize and celebrate the achievements of Afro Caribbean youth in Bruce and Grey counties.

Pastor Wonder Chimvinga of Pine River United Church gave the opening prayer.

Awards were presented to the following youth:

Age five to 13
 

• MaryChristy Agbo
• Chikanyima Anouruo
• Agape Chimvinga
• Bliss Chimvinga
• Charis Chimvinga
• Isaac Clarke-Grant
• Isaiah Clarke-Grant
• Joshua Clarke-Grant
• Samantha Daniels
• Tyrion Grozelle
• Avi Harvey
• Ronan Harvey
• Jennyl Hibbert
• Jerryl Hibbert
• Mikayla Hyre
• Nathaniel Hyre
• Zaden Idehen
• Ramon Alejandro Felix Mateo
• David Ofenor
• Joel Ofenor
• Toni Okanlawon
• Paul Jr. Opiyo
• Neema Opiyo
• Anuoluwa Osinowo
• Inioluwa Osinowo
• Tai Rantz

Age 14-18
 

• Mario Agbo
• Ruby Boals
• Caitlin Brijlall
• Essence D’Acres
• Elena Dobson
• Taishaun Hamilton
• Xavier Hyre
• Gabe Hunter
• Serena Hunter
• Shaelyn McCarthy
• Chelby Morris
• Evan John
• Amini Mukenge
• Florian Ngunanwa
• Tireni Okanlawom
• Tumi Okanlawon
• Adriana Owusu-Ansah
• Abel Redae
• Shams Redae
• Joliciah Williams
• Shekinnah Woodley

Terry Rothmaier, senior vice-president at Bruce Power, presented the Bruce Power Leadership Award to Adriana Owusu-Ansah and Xavier Hyre.

Kincardine deputy mayor Andrea Clarke, one of the organizers of the awards night, thanked the many sponsors, community partners and volunteers for supporting this event.