#ScarboroughSpotlight on Tea Mutonji
We're incredibly excited to announce our first live performance of the year! Join us next WEDNESDAY 23rd at 7PM for an Instagram Live reading from Scarborough-based author Téa Mutonji, followed by a Q&A with Scarborough Arts' very own Sky-Ravinn Ffrench.
“I don’t think it’s possible to be a woman and not be influenced by another woman”
Born in Congo-Kinshasa, Téa Mutonji now lives and writes in Scarborough, Ontario where she was named emerging writer of the year in 2017 by the Ontario Book Publishers Organization. Her debut book, ‘Shut Up, You’re Pretty’ gained recognition for its authenticity and “emotional labour” that went into this collection of short stories.
Téa challenges the narrative of what it’s like being a writer of colour and promotes a sense of belonging from an inward perspective. Being “pretty” is not enough and Téa’s role as an author puts into meaning what that word really means.
Mutonji explores themes of race, class, migration and femininity in her work, especially from the perspectives of Scarborough based women. But she’s careful not to write the story of all black women. “I didn’t want to be the voice that’s standing up for all voices.” The underlying reason for her writings come from having to overcome stereotypes. But now she claims responsibility for what she work means to women of colour which allows them to share their own stories.
Tune into our Instagram @scarborougharts next Wednesday to our LIVE Scarborough Spotlight.