Isaac Gasangwa

Those who forget the past are deemed to repeat it.

In response to the exhibition “It's About Time: Dancing Black in Canada 1900 – 1970 and Now,” guest curator Seika Boye has invited a social media response from Isaac Gasangwa, in collaboration with @dancingblackcanada.

“Upon meeting Isaac Gasangwa, I was struck by his drive to ‘Inspire and Educate!’ and to teach African history and culture. When I invited him to respond to something from It’s About Time, he chose two images from the ‘Representation and Reception’ section of the exhibition: ‘Colour palette guide for mixing make-up to achieve “accurate” and “ethnic” complexions’; and ‘Dancers in Blackface for a recital by the Florence Clough Dance Studio, Victoria, British Columbia, 1920s.’”

-Seika Boye

Artist: Isaac Gasangwa

Isaac started dancing professionally at the age of 18 after graduating from high school. Growing up in Rwanda where dance is not considered an art form, he created the first Afro - Hip Hop dance studio and founded the dance group Jabbajunior and the dance studio Jabbajunior foundation. 

In 2014 Isaac moved to Canada where he founded the Vancouver-based dance studio Afrobeats dance Van. He uses his craft to entertain, bring a smile, inspire, and educate about African history and culture. His practice negotiates contrasting life experiences between Rwanda and Vancouver and the difference in perspectives on dance as a career, something that didn’t exist in Rwanda until he took initiative to establish more rigorous centers for dance training and performances. With Afrobeat Van, Isaac aims to inspire freedom of movement and “Let the people just dance!” By creating an environment where people feel welcome to be their honest selves, Isaac makes space for shared dialogue, nurturing a sense of dedicated community. His work is not just for African people, or for Black people, or a means to educate non-Black individuals—it is for everyone. Afrobeat Van’s core values are  an interconnected philosophy to “Dance, Inspire, Educate!”