With the support of the Toronto Arts Council and Rosehall Press
Ryan O’Neil presents a pair of artistic companions to the 2024 Toronto Carnival celebrations.
Caribbean magical realism brought to stage through the poetry and art of rising artist, Ryan O’Neil.
Ryan brings a celebration of Caribbean literature and theatre to the stage with a powerful and colourful story of resilience and evolution.
With original video and music accompaniments underpinned by his vibrant poetry, Ryan offers a mystical journey through his days as a young artist while pushing the boundaries of what an on stage expression of poetry looks like through Caribbean eyes. With themes of romance, migrant melancholy, mental health, perseverance, and redemption, Ryan weaves his personal story through a multitude of artistic expressions.
The street festivals and night life culture of the Caribbean is beloved around the world and Toronto is the proud home to one of the largest Caribbean diaspora groups, and one of the best Carnivals outside of the islands.
With original photography, video, and music, Ryan O'Neil challenges the perceptions of Caribbean party and street parade culture by exposing the social roots that inform modern Caribbean expression.
" I love seeing people of different backgrounds joining in but I often feel as if our heritage may be lost on the uninitiated. Masquerade is Rebellion is my attempt at sharing some of the roots of our culture and hopefully sharing some of the lessons our ancestors left with us about how to find joy and unity in bad times" - Ryan.