Artist Spotlight: Shamika Pierre

Shamika Pierre is an exciting illustrator based in Toronto, having recently graduated from OCADU. For Shamika, illustration is far more than just drawing; it’s a powerful method of storytelling, focused on capturing the experiences of her community.

Shamika Pierre's Use of Ink and Watercolour as a Canvas to Tell the Story of the Black Toronto Experience.

As I develop as an artist, I see illustration as my form of storytelling, and I also notice a slow spiral into my energy drink addiction. I focus a lot on the experience of my community, using the beauty and richness of ink and watercolour to let the stories unfold. I love experimenting and challenging myself with difficult ideas and crafting them into my own perspective and experience.

What does “MY VIEW, YOUR?” mean to you?

MY VIEW, YOUR? made me reflect on perspective and how much it can shift based on someone’s own outlook. It made me think about how much context can be changed based on someone's perception and background. I chose work that primarily focuses on the experience of outsiders looking in.

Can you walk us through the artwork "The Block"?

One of the pieces I am exhibiting, The Block, depicts a scene in a Black neighbourhood and

challenges people's perceptions and stereotypes of Black communities. I drew a lot of inspiration from media like The Wire and Friday, which address Black issues and present an authentic view of the community. I hope viewers of this piece will reflect on their own prejudices and reconsider the assumptions made about Black people at first glance.

Much of this exhibition explores the relationship between humans and the environment. How does your work engage with nature, space, or the world around you?

My work engages with the environment and the world around me by exploring the spaces that

Black communities occupy and how these spaces shape daily life. Through depictions of

neighbourhoods and everyday settings, I examine how physical spaces and societal structures

influence people’s lives. These pieces invite viewers to reflect on how environment, community,

and cultural context affect both individual experiences and broader understandings of the

American Dream.

What kind of questions or conversations do you want your work to spark, especially in a group exhibition like this, where so many perspectives collide and coexist?

The two pieces I have shared are part of a series called The American Dream. Through this series, I want viewers to reflect on the realities of the dream, especially as they relate to the Black community.

If you had to describe your exhibited work in just three words, what would they be and why?

The American Dream.

How does it feel to be part of a group exhibition like this one, sharing space, theme, and energy with other artists?

I always enjoy being in spaces with different artists who have their own styles and approaches to art. Being around their creativity inspires me, motivates me, and encourages me to learn from others. It also challenges me to think differently about my own work, experiment with new techniques, and push the boundaries of my artistic vision. Being in this environment brings a sense of community.

What’s next for you as an artist? Are there themes you’re beginning to explore, or directions you’re excited to grow into?

As an artist, especially as a Black woman, I am always exploring ways to address themes and topics that relate to the community. I am fascinated by what it means to be Black and by examining different perspectives and diasporas, particularly within the contexts of immigration, community, and colonialism.

MY VIEW, YOUR? is backed by RADRCanada as our media partner.