Looking Back on Deanna Bowen: Black Drones in the Hive

Written by Rose Ogbonnaya-Ogburu, Programming Intern at AWE

Hello! My name is Rose, and I’m an intern here at the Art Windsor-Essex and I’ll be sharing some of my favorite works of art and how they made me feel. Starting with one that I used to commemorate the beginning of Black History Month: Deanna Bowen: Black Drones in the Hive. The gallery has a lot of heartwarming and gut-wrenching works that speak to people on so many different levels; be it emotionally, spiritually, physically and visually. This is especially true for Black Drones in the Hive.

Before diving into my personal experience, here’s a little background on the artist and the artwork. Deanna Bowen, a descendant of Black pioneer families from Alabama and Kentucky, is an Oakland-born artist whose interdisciplinary practice explores her family’s history, migration, and the Black experience. She has received numerous accolades including the Scotiabank Photography Award (2021) and the Guggenheim Fellowship (2016), with notable exhibitions such as The God of Gods: Berlin, Berlin (2020) and God of Gods: A Canadian Play (2019).

Deanna’s exhibition Black Drones in the Hive explores hidden histories that shaped Canadian cultural narratives, particularly the devaluation of Black labor and freedom. Through decades long research, Deanna traces her own family’s history and the broader story of Black survival in Canada and the U.S. The exhibition examines the creation of Canadian art canons, like the Group of Seven, while also addressing the erasure of Black contributions. Bowen’s work connects historical documents, migration stories, and power dynamics to expose forgotten narratives and challenge established histories.

When I first experienced this exhibition, I felt a slight discomfort in my chest; an emotion I couldn’t quite define. However, as I took the time to reflect, I realized that what I was feeling wasn’t discomfort at all, but rather heartache. I learned so much from this exhibition. It made me realize the strength and depth of being Black. The exhibition spoke to me and made me feel strong emotions of pride, sorrow, and a deep reflection on injustice, it was a very refreshing experience. This exhibition also reminded me of the resilience and contributions of Black communities throughout history, highlighting stories that deserve to be seen, heard, and honored.

Of all the pieces in the exhibition, one that really stuck with me was a collection of archival documents tracing Bowen’s family history. Seeing those records: names, dates, migration paths; felt so personal, almost like flipping through someone’s diary. It made me think about my own family’s journey, the stories that might have been lost or rewritten over time. I stood there for a while, just taking it in, feeling this mix of sorrow and admiration. Sorrow for the struggles that so many Black families have faced, and admiration for the resilience that carried them forward.

This exhibition wasn’t just about history; it was about recognition, about honoring the voices that have been silenced for too long. It left me with a renewed sense of pride and responsibility to remember, to learn, and to share these stories so they are never forgotten.