Invisibly Ill Issue 2
Gabby Da Silva
Invisibly Ill issue 2
Gabby Da Silva
Publication Launch, March 21, 2024
In Partnership with Sherbrooke Community Centre and Remai Modern
AKA artist-run has worked with Da Silva to fund, produce, print and distribute the second issue of a zine created by Saskatoon artist Gabby Da Silva featuring community collaborations with Sherbrooke Community Centre, École College Park School, AKA artist-run, and Remai Modern.
In 2022, Da Silva released her first issue of invisibly ill, published by AKA, based on her own experiences as a disabled artist who often appears able. For the upcoming issue, which continues to explore the themes of disabilities and invisible illnesses, Remai Modern and AKA supported the facilitation of workshops, production, and printing.
This edition of invisibly ill was developed through a collaboration between Sherbrooke Community Centre and École College Park School's iGen program, which spanned several months. iGen's Grade 6 students engage in learning sessions at Sherbrooke, fostering ongoing and meaningful connections between the seniors in long-term care throughout the school year.
With Remai Modern’s support, Da Silva led seven workshops at Sherbrooke’s art studio for the iGen participants and Sherbrooke residents. During these workshops, students and seniors collaborated to produce artwork that appears in the magazine. These diverse artworks include a variety of mediums such as collage, sculpture, drawing, and more.
Alana Moore, Sherbrooke’s Artist-in-Residence, provided valuable administrative support and organized seniors' participation in the workshops. Keri Albert and Lorna Conquergood of iGen played pivotal roles in supporting and encouraging student involvement. Five students and ten seniors collaborated with Da Silva to create these artworks.
Gabby Da Silva is a (dis)abled artist fascinated with the collaboration between digital and physical mediums. With a conceptual approach, she makes work that deals with the documentation of events and the questions of how they can be presented. Born and raised in Saskatoon, Da Silva comes from a close family whom she credits for their strength, especially when she was diagnosed with a neurological disorder in 2019. Her work responds to both her surrounding environments and everyday experiences, and is often accompanied by her own cluttered spoken word. Since graduating with her BFA honors in Studio Art, Da Silva continues to practice as an artist, forever discovering new ways to express herself and her communities through art.