Winnipeg rising star isKwé gathers strength before concerts by painting her face
The electronic artist is poised for breakout success in 2016
isKwé let CBC Arts in to witness a crucial, private moment before she takes the stage: when she applies the vivid and expressive make-up that gives her strength in front of her audience.
When I started painting my face, I felt more invested in what I did.- isKwé
That strength led the downtempo electronic artist to big things in 2015. Namely, releasing her song "Nobody Knows" about Canada's missing and murdered indigenous women (which George Stroumboulopoulos selected for the Strombo Show Hundo 100 best songs of 2015), fighting for her indigenous identity on social media, and being named one of CBC Music's 10 artists to watch in 2016.
In this video filmed at the Music Gallery in Toronto, isKwé opens up about taking control over her identity through choosing her name and painting her face.
Watch Exhibitionists Sunday at 4:30pm (5pm NT) on CBC Television.