THE FACES OF TORONTO
To build this exhibit, we asked twenty-one Torontonians to participate in a photo shoot and accompanying interview, exploring and highlighting how they use makeup, what it means to them, and how these views of makeup were constructed. Made-Up Toronto demonstrates some of the many reasons why and how makeup is used, with each of the participants providing their own perspective. This sample of participants is a small glimpse into the cultural mosaic that makes up the City of Toronto, and the world at large. We hope this exhibition will encourage others to fully express themselves through makeup and see Toronto “made-up” in a new light.
Chisom is a make-up enthusiast with many hobbies including spoken word and debating. With an outgoing and outspoken attitude, she loves meeting new people and learning new things.
Cyril Cinder is a drag king who uses makeup to express his gender and challenge what it means to be a man. Air guitar champion, glittery rock star wannabe, and burlesque host, this international performer encourages you to ask questions.
Raegine found make up from her grandmother, who own's a beauty supply store. Her background in Film and Theater she learnt that make-up can be art and our faces are the canvas.
Sam Antics is a multi-disciplinary performer best known for her burlesque and drag acts. She didn't start regularly wearing makeup until she turned 19. Her makeup tends to be influenced by artists such as David Bowie, Siouxsie Sioux, and Alice Cooper. She considers makeup to be an integral tool in her transformations.
Michaela is a world traveller and is passionate about art and culture. With her lifestyle and a constant need for attention you can bet her makeup is always making statement.
Born and raised in Tunisia, Sarra believes makeup should not be seen as superficial and should be acknowledged that it just makes some people feel good.
Preferring artistic interpretations over beauty applications, Lani is an Artist/Storyteller. Inspired by life and the wonderful characters that cross her path, makeup is her medium and the face & body her canvas. Her only limited is her imagination.
Empress Cherry Sunday ran away with the circus and became a sensation within the international clown community with her unique and glamours look.
As a visually impaired person who wears makeup on a daily basis, Benjamin advocates that you cannot make assumptions about a person’s abilities based on their disabilities.
A feminist punk, culinary lover, self-taught makeup artist, gender-fluid skater boy - Rudy is challenging makeup norms head-on by adopting a hyper-feminine painted face, without dropping any of his masculinity.
Aly and Meribel are best friends who compete in bodybuilding and fitness competitions together that require heavy makeup, including “excessive” spray tan. In daily life Aly believes how a woman wears makeup evolves through different stages of her life. Meribel doesn't wear any makeup outside of bodybuilding as a form of social rebellion.
With a background in performance art and photography, Miranda James was created as a way to find sexual empowerment by erasing her natural features and replacing them with exaggerated, hyper sexual, and somewhat comedic features. Her larger than life red lips and winged eyeliner are part of her signature style.
Through the power of friendship and drag shows, Alex was able to discover the beauty of makeup and through that Jett Blakk was born! Jett would be nothing without her signature cut crease eye and her new found love... GLITTER! Drag and makeup has allowed Alex/Jett to create fantastic art and relationships, and they can’t wait to show them with you.
Heavy as her schoolwork is, makeup always manages to lift Alice's mood. Her go-to look is a red lip, paired with strong brows, brown eyeliner, and of course - a subtle highlight.
Indigenous Arts-Educator/textile artist, make-up found J’net as a founding member of Port Alberni Clown College. With clown make-up, she braved public spaces with confidence and overcoming breast cancer, concealer and lipstick go a long way to feel normal.
Martha identifies as Lebanese and Mexican but finds that people have a hard time determining her ethnicity. Through makeup, Martha feels connected to her cultures.
Not being allowed to wear makeup growing up, Geli could not wait to get her hands on it once she was an adult. She sees makeup as a highlight one’s best features, and a form of therapy as a personal choice. She believes that women who choose to go barefaced are just as brave as those women who apply their makeup in the morning.
A fashion designer, performance artist and makeup enthusiast, Strawberry Cherie believes we are never only one person on the inside and makeup presents the opportunity to express the many sides of an individual.
Raised by amazing immigrant parents of South Asian descent, growing up Renish tried to figure out her identity through the arts, and humanities. She can’t live without her eye liner, and needs to have her pottu (bindi) on point and loves her popping bold lipsticks!
In her youth, Simal wore makeup to express her "alternative-punk phase" she identified with, and as a way to help her feel beautiful. Now, she sees makeup as a fun activity she hopes more people can find pleasure in.