Mikki Bradshaw
Mikki Bradshaw is a versatile black FtM non binary transgender person of Caribbean and mixed descent, who is a multi-disciplinary performance artist for over 20 years in Canada. They have been in transition officially for the last ten years. Currently, aside from his artistic and activist/advocacy work, he is relearning how to navigate through life after a workplace accident left them with only partial use of their left arm from the shoulder down.
Highlights of his artistic career include the following:
* Writing/producing music, singing solo & with various bands and shows since the age of 4
* Creating & implementing a “By youth. For youth” touring theater company called Misconceptions.
* Mainspace technician at Buddies In Bad Times Theatre, Toronto
* Associate Directing a documentary (Shine On), on the history of the music scene in Ottawa, Ontario.
As a youngster, Mikki truly believed that the arts saved and sustained them. Being a transgender male perceived person, they felt that they were different from many of their peers. In dealing with this, coming from a highly racialized portion of the Canadian population made situations tense at tines, and called for resilience in how they were often treated in society as well as their own communities for family trauma, undiagnosed neuro divergence (at the time), and a growing mental depression (which would later be diagnosed as well), and of course being the flamboyant queer riot act that they are. A firecracker of performance, Mikki found that he was able to be social through the arts. The arts made it possible for them to thrive growing up. First through music and sound, then further through acting, directing and producing, and finally learning how to synthesize and distill all of those through sound design, lighting design and camera work. It was his way to communicate. Be it through light, words, action, or sound, Mikki Bradshaw hopes that his work inspires others to find their medium and communicate. That is why Maya Angelou’s quote from Our Grandmothers has always struck a chord with him, and stays planted in his heart and mind. “…When you get, give….When you learn, teach.” -Maya Angelou
Goldjian Charlo
Goldjian is a transdisciplinary artist interested in relational practices between human beings, ecologies and technologies. Their work creates intimate spaces dedicated to mutual learning and slowing processes. goldjian embraces performance art, media arts, land art, installation and video dance. They facilitate collaborative, collective and restorative practices. They were born in fRance from rural french and romanian jewish ancestors and crossed the ocean in 2004 to grow roots on an island traditionally named Tiohtia:ke and colonially known as Montreal. To connect to this world, goldjian practices reliance, to oneself, to spaces, to other human beings and non-humans, and questions the conditions needed to activate this quality of presence.