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Colours of Courage

Our bison is a collaborative piece inspired by conversations and artwork created with children at Turtle Island Neighbourhood Centre, Pritchard Park, and other North End programming sites. Throughout this design process, we explored themes of courage and community care, asking program participants to reflect on what it means to be brave, to face challenges, to gather with and support your community — just like a herd of bison do

Participants further considered how they find strength in their herd, and how courage isn’t always about being fearless, it’s about forming connections. These ideas were then expressed visually through participants’ own bison drawings. The drawings were collected and used to create our digitally illustrated bison design. Artists Bria & Timothy worked to combine the vibrant energy, movement, and care that participants put into their artworks and translate those ideas into a cohesive result.

Key Design Concepts & Elements:
 
Incorporating Children’s Art – The bison’s surface integrates the children’s drawings, layering aspects of their illustrations into a larger composition. Children’s ideas are at heart of this design, and directly connected to the content presented. 

Abstract & Expressive Forms – The design is inspired by the way children approached their drawings, using bold shapes and fluid lines, keeping the energy of their original artwork. 

Vibrant Colours – Like the children’s bison, the design is bright and dynamic, it’s as bold and unique as they are. The colours also reflect a range of emotions around courage and bravery. 

Connection & Strength – The overlapping designs represent both individual expression and the consideration that courage is something shared within a community.

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Bria Fernandes, Timothy Brown, Jillian Mazur & the Graffiti Gallery stART Program kids from Norquay CC & Turtle Island Neighbourhood Centre