NoVacancy at Cliffside Village Books

Rida McChesney

No Vacancy, 2021

"I want to share my art in the community and express what it's been like to be alienated from each other by covid. I hope my piece can evoke that feeling of kind of being lost in space, wondering if we would ever be able to reach out to each other.”

About Rida

I'm Rida (she/they), and I am a queer femme digital artist. I recently began to do digital art after spending time alone during covid. When the world moved online, I discovered this passion. I hope to be able to share a lot more in community art groups and projects. Although my career is just starting out later in life, I'd like to be able to inspire other young people to bloom in their creativity and embrace their queer and coloured identities.

Sam Anis

Passmore, 2021

“Gentrification, community owned places and small pockets with only BIPOC... all these are close to my heart, and my passion. I want to create anti capitalist places”

About Sam

I am Sam, an immigrant and passionate about activism and art, such as illustration, print, ceramics, poetry, fabric arts, and much more! I love to play around with colors, characters, and stories relating to my identities and more.

Nadia Hakime

This Wall is Not for Sale, 2021

“I have fond memories of the area as a young adult […] I'd like to showcase my art and perspective in a neighborhood to which I once belonged.”

About Nadia

Nadia Hakime is an Afghani self-taught Toronto-based artist. She works with mixed media such as oils, acrylics, watercolor, gouache as well as honing her technical skills in digital media. She is inspired by many subjects, including world history in relation to art and fashion, and is interested in exploring a variety of themes such as identity and self, cultural impact, and ecological environment. 

Desteenie Africa

The Empress, 2021

"I would love to contribute to the representation and recognition of 2SLGBTQIA+ artists, especially of small artists and businesses.”

About Des

Des Africa, 20. Multimedia artist, but digital and print making focused. Currently in university studying sociology and urbanism. An active advocate for social justice through researching the impact of public art in cities, and implementing ways to incorporate more art in urban areas to break the growing industrial atmosphere in the 21st century.

Martin Gomes

Stitches, 2021

“I think having collaboration amongst communities is the key to maintaining healthy and prosperous communities”

About Martin

My name is Martin Gomes (he/they). I am a queer, Afro/Latinx artist whose main focus artistically is writing; specifically music & poetry. Being a mixed & queer minority who is part of Toronto - an enormous melting pot of culture - I find that a lot of my work revolves around identity. Not just my own, but of everyone around me. I've been an observer ever since I can remember and because of that, I find myself trying to reflect all my observations, encounters, and communities I've come across. My goal as an artist is to be as reflective of my surroundings as possible as well as expressing my inner most self as authentically as possible for the sole purpose of reaching someone else who may be feeling the same as me. 

Mujda Hakime

Submerged, 2021

“I grew up with a lot of fear and shame attached to my sexuality that I am still working through today. [...] I want to change that through representation and art.”

About Mujda

Mujda Hakime is a Toronto-based visual artist creating traditional and digital paintings.

Her paintings focus on portraiture and the human form. She currently spends much of her time studying the complexity of the human figure, working to capture the varying forms and movements of the body. Her work is inspired by her deep interest in reading and thinking about the complexities of human interaction, human behavior and identity. She aspires to use her art to bring these concerns to forefront and spark discussions.