Amsa Yaro: “Everything inspires me – I am open to every experience in life and my inspiration comes from all walks of life.”
While still a young and upcoming journalist in her native Nigeria, Amsa Yaro decided to pursue further studies in Canada. She came to London in 2015, completed her education and met her soul mate. However, finding work in Canadian TV journalism was difficult, and she felt at a disadvantage when she received feedback that her name or accent might present a barrier to entry. “But I have no regrets,” says Yaro, “I wanted to be able to tell stories, not just news stories but human-interest stories – my art is now the way I bring these stories to audiences.”
“I have always been artistic,” says Amsa, “but it took a long time for me to own the “artist” title.” Her first exposure to art came from her older sister while at school in Nigeria, and her father's stunning art collection inspired her. Interestingly, her mother’s creative expression took a practical turn, as a chef and through her tailoring shop, where she sold hand-painted fabrics. “Art has always been one of the ways I have expressed myself,” says Amsa, “it was an organic progression from making jewelry, to working at an art center in London, to teaching Art.”
Asked to describe how her art inspires others, Amsa says, “Often people relate to my paintings, either they understand where I am going with the painting or they come from a different point of view which I had not thought about, and now the painting has gone beyond what I was expecting. Often, they want to touch my painting, bringing my art into the physical world, which makes the experience complete.” Amsa reflects further, “As an African immigrant, my Blackness is mine and I put that in my art, so it reflects who I am. I want you to see me in my fullness.”
Amsa believes that art and the artist have a pivotal role in society. She quotes Nina Simone, “An artist’s duty as far as I am concerned is to reflect the times.” To Amsa, it does not mean focusing only on the pain, the struggle, the fight, but it also means reflecting the joy, the hope, the love in action – this is necessary for the fight to continue. “The love is for the ones we have right now,” muses Amsa, “but the hope is for the ones coming after us.” Amsa believes that just living your life is political. “My art tells stories in different ways – at the end, we are all human beings, and we experience this world together,” she says.
Asked to describe how her art inspires others, Amsa says, “Often people relate to my paintings, either they understand where I am going with the painting or they come from a different point of view which I had not thought about, and now the painting has gone beyond what I was expecting. Often, they want to touch my painting, bringing my art into the physical world, which makes the experience complete.” Amsa reflects further, “As an African immigrant, my Blackness is mine and I put that in my art, so it reflects who I am. I want you to see me in my fullness.”
Amsa believes that art and the artist have a pivotal role in society. She quotes Nina Simone, “An artist’s duty as far as I am concerned is to reflect the times.” To Amsa, it does not mean focusing only on the pain, the struggle, the fight, but it also means reflecting the joy, the hope, the love in action – this is necessary for the fight to continue. “The love is for the ones we have right now,” muses Amsa, “but the hope is for the ones coming after us.” Amsa believes that just living your life is political. “My art tells stories in different ways – at the end, we are all human beings, and we experience this world together,” she says.
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Amsa reveals that as an artist of colour, she has faced several hurdles. The lack of space in which to create and exhibit her work has been a major issue. She feels that as an up-and-coming immigrant artist, it has been hard for her to find the abundant resources that London has to offer. She had to actively and with great determination seek these resources and it was only because she worked at City Hall that she found out about the Art Council and the resources they provide for the art community in London. However, her biggest obstacles were self-inflicted. Amsa wishes she could go back and tell her younger self – “stop being hard on yourself.” It is the advice she would like to give to other young newcomers looking to find their creative voice in Canada. Listen to someone who has been there says Amsa, “You have everything it takes, stop doubting yourself. Stop being afraid. Step up – you deserve to have everyone’s eyes on you. Do not be the one that stops you from progressing.”
The London Arts Council has been pivotal in Amsa’s artistic journey in London. She has been a mentee in their program called “Belong,” with the opportunity to work with Corrine Garlic, one of London's premier artists. Through their Arts Education Classroom Experience (AECE) Program, Amsa has taught art in different schools. Through this program, teachers and artists work together to deliver rich, dynamic arts experiences integrated with the Ontario provincial school curriculum. Amsa has also collaborated with other artists, for instance, she has been part of the Dundas Street Murals project with K-laba. |
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Amsa misses her family and friends and the people who have know her from the time she was little. “I miss the connections that I did not get to make, the stories I could not be a part of – just being away physically is the one thing I miss” she says. Amsa focuses on maintaining her mental health, taking the time to rejuvenate or destress by reading, resting, and tuning out the news! It is her mother’s cooking that she misses the most, and often tries her hand at Nigerian dishes. Amsa smiles as she says, “My husband is Italian, and I guess he hasn’t died yet, so my cooking must be good.”