We Gon’Be Alright

The Bank Street BIA, in partnership with Wallack's Art Supplies and the City of Ottawa, is pleased to announce that artists Kalkidan Assefa, Allen André and Jimmy Baptise have completed a new mural at the intersection of Bank Street and Lisgar Street in Centretown.

“Public art in many ways can hold a mirror up to the society in which it appears,” said Allen André. “While [the] artist’s intent is important, the translation of the work into its many interpretations create a tapestry of meaning like light broken up into its component colours. For artists, the work acts as a transmitter of energy which is broken down like a prism in the mind of viewers creating meaning and interpretations that tell us about the viewer, the community and even the artist themselves.”

André explained that “the mural on Bank Street for me was an opportunity to understand how the community feels about the Black presence in Ottawa. We chose to create a mural with the uplifting affirmation "We Gon Be Alright" - lyrics pulled from the chorus of Kendrick Lamar's 2015 Grammy-winning single "Alright" which addresses police violence and racial inequality. We thought that this would be appropriate amongst the current backdrop of worldwide protests against systemic anti-Black racism; justice and police reform.”

When asked about the mural Kalkidan Assefa commented: “for me, this mural was about a message of hope, solidarity, and movement towards a brighter future. It was an opportunity to add some good vibes in people's day, especially with the gravity of everything that has happened so far in the world in 2020. Representation matters, not just in the images we see, but whose creating them. As a group of black men and artists, it was also important to us that our voices and perspectives were represented and centred in a way that could empower our community, but also all communities. When we say "WE" it means everybody!”

Jimmy Baptiste shared a similar sentiment, stating, “We painted this mural to brighten up the neighbourhood with lively colours and to share a positive message with the city. As black artists, we also wanted to share some love with the black community by giving us an image from which we can draw strength. We would like to thank the Bank Street BIA, Wallack’s Art Supplies as well as the people and businesses on Bank street for their amazing support during the creation of this mural.”

Noting the overwhelmingly positive reception the artists received while working on the mural, Baptiste remarked that the artists were “truly humbled by the way the city of Ottawa has received this mural" and that he is "proud that this mural can bring some hope into peoples’ lives."

The Bank Street BIA gives a special thank-you to Wallack’s Art Supplies for sponsoring the materials for the mural.