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On the occasion of the performances of NZINGA by Tatiana Zinga Botao, Alexis Diamond and Marie-Louise Bibish Mumbu, and as part of Black History Month, TfT is also pleased to present the photographic exhibition by artist Cynthia-Laure Etom, titled KÉLÉMA – Memories of Brazza, on view at the Theatre Centre.

About the exhibition:\

KÉLÉMA – Memories of Brazza is a photographic series that explores identity, belonging, and connection to place. Presented as part of the 2024 Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival, it invites audiences to dive into an intimate and collective memory deeply rooted in Brazzaville, Congo. Through this series, the artist shares her return to Brazzaville in 2015—a formative journey that allowed her to reconnect with her roots and develop a renewed perspective on contemporary Congolese society. The images raise questions about social norms, addressing themes such as sexism, overconsumption, and the role models passed on to brothers and sisters.

Photography enters into dialogue with writing: poems written by the artist accompany the images, extending the visual narrative and creating a space for intimacy and reflection. The work is further enriched by sound recordings captured in the streets of Brazzaville in 2015, recreating the city’s atmosphere and immersing audiences in its daily life.

KÉLÉMA thus unfolds as an immersive and introspective body of work, where personal memories and social issues intersect, inviting everyone to reflect on their own relationship to identity, memory, and the idea of “home.”

About Cynthia-Laure Etom:\

“As long as the possible is not done, the duty is not fulfilled.” — Victor Hugo.

Cynthia-Laure Etom holds a master’s degree in marketing and communications. A journalist, filmmaker, curator, and independent photographer of Congolese heritage, she is based in Toronto. Her artistic practice encourages shifts in perspective through immersive experiences and interactive storytelling. She seeks to spark personal reflection and open up new ways of thinking about communities, drawing on untold stories related to identity, roots, being, and mental health. Cynthia-Laure draws inspiration from her origins and her travels. Committed to human rights and gender equality, she has received recognition for her initiatives promoting diversity and gender equity.

The exhibition takes place at the Theatre Centre, 1115 Queen St W, from February 26 to 28.