SIX AH WI
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Biography

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Prolific, intense, opinionated, passionate, are words depicting the many faces of Jamaican Canadian artist Ato Seitu. Much of his work draws the eye to the face with all that it often reveals about the human soul. Whether using fine lines painstakingly inked in black on white or brilliant colors that pop from his art board, Seitu is an artist whose creative voice is as distinct as every painting he has produced over the past 30 years.

His art poses questions, raises issues and at times simply celebrates beauty. A featured artist in Toronto’s 2006-2007 Genius Loves Company exhibit, Seitu’s work has toured Canada, the US, the Caribbean and Africa, captivating audiences with a brand of graphic fine art that speaks to humanity.

Born in Kingston Jamaica, Seitu migrated to Canada in 1963, completing a diploma course in graphic arts at George Brown College and later a Masters degree in social environmental studies at York University. In the 1970’s, the anti-apartheid freedom movement in South Africa influenced Seitu’s work and many of his pieces were used to educate African society about freedom and democracy.

In 1993 Seitu co-founded the Six Ah Wi, Art Collective an organization set up to expose and have recognized the contributions of African-Canadian artists to the continuing development of the visual arts landscape in Canada and the world.

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