A`RNO

Photography & Poetry

Received grant in 2020

I’m an Artist. My birth name is Aaron, and I also go by A`RNO. In 2020, I’m interested in erotic entanglements between human body and living world, which I express through photography and invented language. I publish collaborative books; and help other artists make projects, too.

It’s a privilege to make Art on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, sel̓íl̓witulh, and sḵwx̱wú7mesh peoples. As a settler here, it is my responsibility to join with others in undoing colonial racism, violence, and privilege. This Work is transforming how, and on what terms, I make Art. Blessings.

How has receiving a DTES Small Arts Grant supported your development as an artist?

Receiving this grant was the encouragement I needed to see through a book project that I’ve been working on for 3 years. I’d almost let it go completely when the grant came through, and am truly grateful for the new forms it allowed into the Work.

How has DTES Small Arts Grants helped DTES artists?

It’s there for artists in ways that other funding bodies aren’t. It supports artists who may not be eligible, or have the time, energy, and/or resources, to apply for other grants. It’s encouraging to see community-driven funding that’s dedicated to artists who need support, and are often overlooked.

How has DTES Small Arts Grants impacted the community?

It encourages an eclectic range of art forms and a shared sense of value for Art within a culture that can be quite ambivalent towards it. The application process is straightforward and accessible, and subsequent workshops and information sessions provide recipients with skills they can use to access more funding opportunities.