PEEL DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
Glenforest students' art explores the inclusive world of Ubuntu

Global cultures are universal, in that many promote values that are common to peoples all over the world. Such is the case with Ubuntu, an African word of Bantu origin that refers to humanity, or responsibility towards others. In the Xhosa language, it implies in a more philosophical sense, a universal bond of sharing that connects all of humanity.

And it has a local expression. On February 22, Glenforest Secondary School hosted an event called "Us Immersive," an experiential art and media exhibition centered on the themes of Ubuntu - humanity to others and synergy. It's about belonging, and everyone's importance to each other and the universe. 'Us' celebrates the Me in the We and shows how our lives and identities are all interwoven.

Glenforest students collaborated on the exhibit, incorporating their personal and artistic expression to deliver this showcase that inspired and affirmed their appreciation for life. Participants were invited to discover, see, hear, feel, learn and be part of "Us." 

The initiative was led and mentored by Stephen Roscoe, Head, Curriculum at Glenforest. "Though our cultures differ from one another, they also contain universal themes," Stephen said. "The key message of Ubuntu? That which unites us is greater than that which divides us."

Over 500 Glenforest students, and Glenforest's Tech-Arts teachers, collaborated to deliver this showcase of art and culture to inspire and affirm appreciation of life. Because Ubuntu is a concept of African origin, students prepared biographical posters of exceptional Black individuals and prepared a series of short documentaries that spotlighted exceptional people and events related to Canadian Black history.

Also part of the exhibition was something called Name Design - What's in a name? Graphic designs depicting students' names were projected on a giant 14' screen. Exhibition visitors could walk up close to the rear projected names and see a photo collage inside each letter that spelled a student's name. By looking inside the letters, the viewer could see a photo narrative about this person. Walking up to look closer was a reminder to be open-minded, to see past our biases and preconceived ideas of who someone is based on their name.

Because the messages and application of Ubuntu are universal. Glenforest students. Including those who are not necessarily of African origin, were encouraged to provide their own personal and artistic stories and expressions, to be woven into the broader multicultural narrative.

South African archbishop Desmond Tutu, a leader in that country's successful struggle against apartheid, said that " a person with Ubuntu is open and available to others, affirming of others, does not feel threatened that others are able and good, based from a proper self-assurance that comes from knowing that he or she belongs in a greater whole and is diminished when others are humiliated or diminished it speaks about our interconnectedness."

Stephen Roscoe echoes these sentiments. "Ubuntu demonstrates our common humanity and the universality of the human experience," he says. 

In creating and sharing their multimedia art exhibition "Us Immersive," the Glenforest students and staff helped bring these profound values to life.