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  • “It’s really meaningful for me that I can make art that lessens the sense of isolation and shame, just by talking about my disability in public.” | photo: self-portrait, Persimmon Blackbridge

    People

    activist artistPersimmon Blackbridgeother matters

    by Frances Rooney | May 30, 2008

    Her creative work deals with the experiences of those who’ve been through both the mental health and prison systems. Through her art, Persimmon has explored body image, community, depression, sexuality, alcoholism, marginalization, disabilities, pornography, and war. Her latest search for a collaborator is very personal. She is looking for a kidney donor. Her situation reveals something startling: Canada has one of the lowest organ donation rates among industrialized countries.  read more

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  • April 1994: the night raid at Kingston’s Prison for Women

    by Sierra Bacquie

    There was supposed to be a new approach to the Correctional Service of Canada’s relationship to female offenders, who were promised responsible choices, respect, dignity, supportive environments, and shared responsibility. But on the night of April 26, eight women experienced humiliation, degradation, raw fear and trauma at the hands of an all-male emergency team. How did this happen? What has changed since?  read more