Howard J. Davis, known in the art world as HAUI, is an award-winning multidisciplinary artist whose work spans stage, screen, and visual arts, and whose career is a tireless quest to reclaim overlooked histories, particularly those within the Black and queer diasporas.
His latest film Aunt Harriet is a project born from his residency with the City of Guelph. It brings to light the story of Aunt Harriet, a little-known figure from the city’s history, and it’s a fresh instance of his determination to give voice to the stories of people who have been erased from the dominant narrative. HAUI’s creative output is vast and diverse in this focus. It spans projects like C’est Moi, a short film about Marie Joseph Angélique, who was an enslaved Black woman in 18th-century Canada, and Private Flowers, a forbidden queer love story. His recent opera Aportia Chryptych: A Black Opera for Portia White, produced at the Canadian Opera Company in June 2024, explored the life of the Nova Scotian contralto.
Excavating and understanding these untold stories – and then creating and sharing them – is not easy. “I do work many hours of the day to be able to do what I do,” he grants. And this was no exception with Aunt Harriet. Aunt Harriet, a Black woman who lived in Guelph, was a local figure known for her singing and her pipe-smoking habit. Her story came to HAUI’s attention through research supported by scholars including Jade Ferguson, Deirdre McCorkindale, and the Guelph Museums.
“Her name appeared in different forms—sometimes spelled with one ‘t,’ sometimes two—which speaks to the mythologizing of Black figures and the incongruous ways in which diasporic histories have morphed to survive and be remembered,” HAUI explains. The inconsistencies in the historical record only deepened his interest in Harriet, who passed away on January 28, 1932. Harriet had lost her memory and immediate family, leaving many details about her life unknown. A single surviving photograph of her, where she is seen with a beard, offered a unique connection to both Black and queer histories. “She wasn’t a freedom seeker, as was led to be believed,” HAUI notes. “Her story drew me in, and I felt it was one that needed to be told.”
A story in film AND an act of activism
As a mixed-media artist, HAUI is adept at choosing the right medium for each story, and in the case of Aunt Harriet, film ultimately proved the perfect fit. “Given Harriet’s connection to music and voice, spoken word became the natural entry point for this project,” he explains. The project then evolved into what HAUI describes as “moving portraiture”, which blends photography, sound, and spoken word to create a rich, immersive and multi-layered audiovisual experience. “The combination of voice, visuals, and sound reflects the richness of her story and honours her connection to both music and identity,” he explains. HAUI. Through this medium, he captures the layers of Harriet’s story, creating an immersive experience for the audience.
HAUI’s work is known for its potent blend of art and activism, and Aunt Harriet is no exception. “This project, like much of my work, seeks to address historical erasure, particularly within Black communities,” he says. By bringing Aunt Harriet’s life into focus, HAUI hopes to highlight the resilience and strength of Black women who are too often overlooked by history, and to challenge the dominant historical narrative. “Storytelling is a form of activism, and it provides an opportunity to reclaim narratives that have been forgotten. Each piece aims to spark conversations that matter,” HAUI notes, adding that his goal is to ensure that important stories like Harriet’s are not just remembered, but also honoured for their complexity and humanity.
Bringing art into healthcare
One unique aspect of Aunt Harriet is its connection to healthcare. HAUI is passionate about the importance of bringing art into medical and care facilities – particularly those for elders and seniors. “Our elders are the keepers of our histories, and it’s important that they feel seen and valued,” he emphasizes. In these settings, art can provide comfort, reflection, and even healing.
In this vein, the project’s collaboration with elder artist ahdri zhina mandiela, the founder and past artistic director of Toronto-based b current Performing Arts, brings additional depth and wisdom to the work. “Her experience as an elder enriches the dialogue around the importance of art, particularly in healthcare,” HAUI says. Through this project, HAUI aims to uplift and celebrate the lives of elders who have shaped our communities, while addressing the gaps in historical knowledge that too often obscure the stories of marginalized individuals like Harriet.
With the film slated for release next year, HAUI is eager to share Harriet’s story with a wide audience – especially in healthcare and educational spaces, areas where HAUI believes Harriet’s story can have the greatest impact. On October 3, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m ET, a sneak peek of the film will be offered as part of Guelph’s Culture Days, during a panel discussion that will explore broader themes around Aunt Harriet’s story, including its relevance to contemporary conversations about history and identity.
“Community involvement is crucial in keeping these important stories accessible,” says HAUI, and he hopes that Aunt Harriet can be a bridge between generations, fostering dialogue and reflection.
“Every story deserves a voice, and we must strive to reclaim those narratives that history has neglected.”
Reserve free tickets to the panel presentation “Amplifying Harriet Miller’s Voice: A Celebration of Femininity, Blackness, and Healing” on eventbrite.ca. The community is welcome to contribute to the project on gofundme.com.
© Arpita Ghosal, Sesaya Arts Magazine, 2024
