Rays of Resistance

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PASAN

2017
526 Richmond Street East, Toronto, Ontario

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PASAN staff and clients, artists, and allies came together over several months to create Rays of Resistance, a 12 FT by 4 FT ceramic and glass mosaic.

Sketches and ideas for this project were generated with community members during a series of workshops and conversations about PASAN’s work over 25 years and themes of incarceration, abolition, stigma and acceptance, and harm reduction. Lead artist Anna Camilleri produced the design, drawing inspiration from our community engaged arts process that was led by a team including artists Wy Joung Kou, Kay Jones, Katie Yealland and interns Rob, Brenda, Cindy, and Steven.

PASAN formed in 1991 as a grassroots response to HIV/AIDS in the Canadian prison system and is the only community-based organization in Canada exclusively providing HIV/AIDS and HCV prevention education and support services to prisoners, ex-prisoners, youth in custody and their families.

Funders: Toronto Arts Council, Ontario Arts Council.

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  • A large mosaic depicting a varied collection of nature, fauna, and urban landscape imagery, as well as a set of arms tied with rope, two hands forming the shape of a heart, and a broken chain link fence. Interwoven between the imagery are the phrases, “no one is left behind,” and “nobody fails here.”

    Rays of Resistance, 2017. Photo by Katie Yealland.

  • Technical drawing for a mosaic mural depicting a varied collection of nature, fauna, and urban landscape imagery.

    Rays of Resistance, 2017. Design sketch by Anna Camilleri.

  • Three people work on a large mosaic at a table.

    Rays of Resistance open studio, 2017. Photo by Katie Yealland.

  • Multiple people work on a large mosaic at a table covered in art supplies.

    Rays of Resistance open studio, 2017. Photo by Katie Yealland.

  • A large in-progress mosaic on a table depicts mountains, a river and a sun. Interwoven text reads, “nobody fails here”.

    Rays of Resistance open studio, 2017. Photo by Katie Yealland.

  • Close-up of an in-progress mosaic depicting a deer and crows.

    Rays of Resistance open studio, 2017. Photo by Katie Yealland.

  • Close-up of a colourful mosaic depicting hands forming the shape of a heart with interwoven text that reads, “nobody fails here”.

    Rays of Resistance, 2017. Photo by Katie Yealland.

  • Close-up of a colourful mosaic depicting arms tied with rope. Text reads, “no one is left behind”.

    Rays of Resistance, 2017. Photo by Katie Yealland.

  • Close-up of a mosaic depicting a deer.

    Rays of Resistance, 2017. Photo by Katie Yealland.

  • Promotional poster featuring the hand drawn sketch for a mosaic mural, and event information.

    Rays of Resistance, 2017. Design sketch by Anna Camilleri.

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