It is our absolute pleasure to share Peter Owusu-Ansah’s story, whose meticulous and striking works have been acquired by the prestigious corporate collection of TD Bank.
Peter Owusu-Ansah is a deaf visual artist from Ghana whose unique storytelling on disability justice, told through his distinctive and bold digital compositions, captured the attention of the Senior Curator of TD Bank Group’s Corporate Art Collection during the TOAF online Fair in 2020.
We first got to know Peter and had the honour of sharing his work with you by way of TOAF’s access program, Art Encounters in 2019. His visual arts career started taking off from his first participation at the Fair. Through the program, we made sure Peter had equal access to wide-reaching promotional opportunities, such as appearances on Breakfast Television, Art Toronto’s Clickbait series, and other networking possibilities.
We are proud and honoured to have facilitated this major milestone for Peter's career. This would not have been possible without the support of a small yet growing circle of committed donors, and the insight and vision of The Lindy Green Family Foundation, the lead supporter of Art Encounters over the past four years.
This was simply the best impact story and highlight of TOAF59!
anahita azrahimi
Executive and Creative Director
|
Image courtesy of Peter Owusu-Ansah
|
|
| Peter’s works are inspired by disability justice and the desire for more equitable and intersectional futures. He aims to push forward with a renewed political intentionality to disrupt normative perceptions of the arts. |
|
|
Image: Green Squares, Peter Owusu-Ansah, acrylic art box, 2020, 52" x 52". One of the pieces acquired by TD Art Collection.
|
|
| Toronto Outdoor Art Fair’s unique Art Encounters program took me under their wing. It has allowed me to develop my confidence in interacting with audiences and making sales. It is also more than that. It made me feel included in the larger part of the world. For me, I have been living in a small Deaf world where we are kept silent from the big world. TOAF was there to support me through my television appearance, Instagram feature, and helped me network with others. I felt like I am welcomed in their family, and every human needs this. |
|
| – Peter Owusu-Ansah shares in a testimonial |
|
|
Image: Red, Orange, Purple, Blue, Peter Owusu-Ansaw, acrylic artbox, 2020, 52" x 52". One of the pieces acquired by TD Art Collection.
|
|
| The TD Corporate Art Collection is inspired by the stories and lived experiences of the artists in our communities. Through the TD Ready Commitment, our global corporate citizenship platform, our goal is to amplify voices and spark conversations with art as a catalyst to create social impact. We are so pleased to welcome Peter Owusu-Ansah's work into our collection and grow awareness of diverse people that comprise the art world. |
|
| – Stuart Keeler, Senior Curator, TD Art Collection, TD Bank Group |
|
| Through the TD Ready Commitment, TD Art is focusing on work that enables us all to see more of the world around us and empowers diverse artists while amplifying their stories of diaspora, race, gender and identity.
The pieces will be exhibited inside the client and customer facing spaces in the corporate offices at TD Centre in Toronto.
Visit Peter Owusu-Ansah's TOAF artist page.
Follow on Instagram: @peteroarts |
|
|
During the Fair, one of Peter’s works was added to a prominent private collection. His works also garnered interest from Etobicoke Cultural Hub. Peter talks about his opportunities, "Participating in TOAF felt like a weight lifted off my shoulders, and it started to open up the world a little bit more for me… This is what happens when you give someone who doesn’t have experience a chance. They will take it to the next level…"
Peter’s participation at TOAF also piqued the interest of Lee Petrie, Curator of the Gladstone Hotel and TOAF59 juror, who later commissioned him to create work for the Hotel.
|
|
| Peter Owusu-Ansah’s bold, graphic work first caught my eye at TOAF 2019, and I’m delighted to be working with him on an exciting new project. Peter’s work will be featured in one of Gladstone Hotel’s newly renovated hotel rooms, reopening this spring. From 524 applicants, he was one of 41 chosen. We were drawn to Peter’s colour and pattern sensibility – the compositions almost vibrate with energy. The dazzling pop aesthetic of his work is a counterpoint to the heritage building, bringing a contemporary edge to the 132 year old hotel. |
|
| – Lee Petrie, Curator, Gladstone Hotel |
|
More artworks by Peter and TOAF59 artists still available
|
|
|
Image: Untitled 140, Peter Owusu-Ansah, acrylic artbox, 2017, 40" x 40"
|
|
| You have until April 25th to browse a number of Peter's available works along with thousands more on our website. Don't miss your chance to view and collect works from our TOAF59 artist roster. |
|
