Ceremonial Art

Worldwide: Masks, Sculptures, Textiles, Adornment

I love the performative nature of ceremonial art — from body painting, tatoos, sculpture, altars and votive paintings — because it all speaks to the senses and places ritualism into an everyday context. The Rand African Art site, for example, has a great worldwide collection of sacred sculptural works. This Yoruba Gelede mask is a wonderful example. | Web Site

 

Cult Sirens

Femme Fatales & Fetish Models

I am interested in the real lives of fantasy actresses and models — from the contemporary to the vintage, the well-known to the obscure — because of how they figure into the celebratory nature of our sexual desires. I came across this Montreal-based site while doing research for my new series. | Web Site

Haitian Drapo Vodou

Prayer Flags

Intricately made with sequins and beads to invoke the power of a diety, the sequins is used to represent that spark of light witnessed when one has directly connected with the spiritual realm. I use it frequently in my work, as well as related Vodun symbols, in keeping with the originating beliefs of the Haitian culture. La Sirene is by Evelyn Alcide. | Web Site

 

Ifá

Traditional Yoruba Religion

This rich, empowering, African spiritual tradition has over 400 dieties — patrons that speak to every aspect of our lives, from market women to warriors, from LGBT folk to the physically abused. | Web Site

Jim Carroll

Poet, Musician, Punk, Posthumous Novelist

He was the first writer to have a deep impact on me as an emerging writer in my teens. Luckily, I saw him perform live twice. Only regret: not going to his book-signing when I was 17 at This Ain't on Queen East. I think he would have gotten a kick out of me: the school uniformed, Catholic high-school student who skipped class just to get her copy of Living at the Movies signed. His dense (and beautiful) use of words spurred me on to write. | Web Site

John Scott

Canadian Painter

My favourite Canadian artist. I admire the way he embeds class consciousness and humanism in his approach to his work. It always resonates with me deeply. Shiva is perhaps one of my favourite pieces by him because it's ridiculously clever. | Web Site

 

Porn Stars

... And Women with "Bad Reputations" in General

Sex workers have ended up in my past and recent works (e.g., Jada Fire, Divine Brown and Amy Fisher). Since the '80s, I have been drawn to these women for many reasons: their salaciousness, iconic beauty, stigma, work stories, cult status, obscurity, disproportionate number of deaths.... | Web Site

 

Psychopomps

Guides to the Afterlife

The spirits and ancestors make themselves present to us through our dreams, synchronicity and, in death, accompany us on the journey (crossing over) back home. I often make reference to these guides through veves and other symbolism. | Web Site