From October 2023 – March 2024, Mountain Standard Time Performative Art (M:ST) and Alberta Printmakers (A/P) have had the pleasure of working with residents Jules de Guzman and Kamika Bianca Guerra-Walker.

This exhibition showcases the fruits of their labour and learning during their time participating with: Printmaking and Interdisciplinary Creation: an Expansive Residency, coordinated in partnership by both organizations.

Jules de Guzman

Artist Statement:

Having begun their membership at Alberta Printmakers (A/P) with Cyanotype Magic with Gloria Gelo, Jules took Silkscreen in Colour with Morgan Melenka and fell in love with the process and outcomes of printmaking. Within this residency, they have taken additional printmaking workshops including: Introduction to Etching with Alison Frank, Botanical Inks with Skye Louis, Reduction Woodcut with Matt Dunlop, Photolithography Basics with Jamie Lee-Girodat, Painterly Printmaking with Christina Krentz, Secrets of Chine Collé with Myken McDowell, and Linocut Cardmaking through A/P’s community programming.

They began their printmaking practice making works about notions of home, observing and communicating their diasporic intimacies of displacement, survival and longing. Working in their personal archives of memories, personal belongings, and photographs, they attempt to bridge gaps in knowledge of fragmented identities through stories of migration, colonialism and capitalism. They also utilized the archives at Mount Royal University to place themself within larger narratives of queer resilience as a queer, non-binary Filipino, finding comfort in the community of ancestors that have lived before them. By understanding ways they have survived in hostility, they nurture a future of belonging, healing and joy. Jules also built skills in bookbinding through one-on-one workshops with Barbara Sutherland, expanding possibilities for self-publishing and art book making. They also learned about creative processes and research practices in creative mentorship with Marigold Santos. Their printmaking explorations were immensely supported by the staff at A/P: Tracy, Jamie and Rachel.

Jules’ Artist Bio

Jules de Guzman (they/he) is a queer Filipinx writer/poet, artist and researcher currently based in Mohkinstis. Their work is shaped by their experience as a second generation immigrant in the Filipino diaspora, their educational background in sociology and creative writing, and their involvement with local arts and music communities. Decolonial activism and advocacy for marginalized narratives drives their passion for library/archival work, creative writing and artistic practice. DIY publishing and zine making is foundational in their practice with their poetry and writing being published in several arts and literary publications. They began taking classes at Alberta Printmakers in the summer of 2023 beginning with Cyanotype Magic. Since then, they have taken 8 more workshops in the past year including photolithography, reduction woodcut and silkscreening in colour. They are a community taught artist having expanded their artistic skills through workshops and kinship practices of drawing, painting, photography, filmmaking, music and collage. Jules is moving to Tiohtià:ke to do a master’s in library and information sciences so they can further their knowledge of archives, libraries and art.

Kamika Bianca Guerra-Walker

Artist Statement

As a 2023/24 Artist in Residence for Alberta Printmakers and M:ST Performative Art, I have been blessed with the opportunity to dream, create freely and learn at my own pace. I took on this journey with the intention of exploring unknown territory through the learning of a new medium, allowing me the chance to adapt my practice with vast modes of expression to share my message.

Through AP’s workshops, I have been able to learn photolithography, silkscreen printing and etching. I explored ; What inspires me and whom? Who do I want to connect with in this world and why? What figures have been dancing around the inner world of my mind waiting to land onto paper or canvas? When can I let them out… is it safe now? I think so.

My creations reflect these thoughts, honoring a plethora of artists and revolutionaries that have inspired me through their music, writing or message – giving me a sense of self as a young Afro-Latina Woman.I move onto my next journey of creations through self exploration, connection to my vast communities and echoing my calls to action; to love one another unconditionally and support the marginalized.

Kamika’s Artist Bio

Kamika Bianca Guerra – Walker of Jamaican and Chilean heritage is a Calgarian, Multidisciplinary visionary – creating as a visual artist, poet, model, actress, and excels as a film director, producer, and writer. Her films have garnered recognition from prominent organizations for their ability to evoke empathy and change in treatment towards those experiencing mental illnesses, addictions, and houselessness. Kamika is the founder of mental health organization -The Walker Foundation, sits on the board of the Black Arts and Culture Council of Calgary and Latin Artist collective, Como Se Dice. She has directed short films, documentaries, docu-series, commercial advertisements and music videos.

Kamika is currently engulfed in several professional development residences across Canada producing different works of art in printmaking, mixed media, film and poetry. She has been exploring her practice and fine tuning her skills through artist-in-Residence programs by Arts Commons, The Canadian Academy of Cinema & Television, Marriott Residence Inn, Alberta Printmakers and M:ST Performative Art. Her ultimate aspiration is to continue exploring and blending artistic mediums to ignite societal change and inspire individuals to always approach life with compassion as their leading principle, triumphing over their human instinctive judgment.