Inspired by old-school graffiti, this month's logo is off the wall

Every month, we feature a new take on the CBC Arts logo created by a Canadian artist. Check out our previous logos!

Jimmy Baptiste's vibrant vision of the future is now appearing at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. Or on it, rather — shining down on Elgin Street from the Kipnes Lantern, the five-story tower of LED screens that lights up the NAC's facade.

Onah is the name of the digital illustration. Specially commissioned by the NAC for their Black History Month programming, it'll appear on the Lantern all February: a graffiti-style portrait of a serene woman, gazing up and outward through golden cyborg eyes.

Baptiste is a Montreal native who works as an illustrator, designer and art facilitator. He also happens to be our latest logo artist — and he told us more about himself when we reached him by email.

Name: Jimmy Baptiste

Age: 43

Homebase: Wakefield, Que.

Let's talk about your design! What inspired the concept?

The concept is inspired by the classic graffiti aesthetic. 

To quote your Instagram bio, you're a "digital AND graffiti artist." What are some of your favourite mural projects to date? Where can people find them?

In Ottawa, you can currently see the artwork I created for the National Arts Centre for Black History Month. Onah is a digital illustration inspired by Afrofuturism, Afropunk, anime and graffiti. 

You can also see some of my murals around town, like on Bank Street at Lisgar Street (I created that one with Kalkidan Assefa and Allan André), at the Byward Market on York Street and in multiple schools in Ottawa.

Also: Allan, Kal and I created multiple murals for Algonquin College at their three campuses last year.

You teach kids how to paint murals too, is that right? How long have you been doing that, and what do you love about the job?

Yes, I've been doing this for many years now! The thing I appreciate the most is creating a creative safe space by collaborating with schools and students. It brings life, colour and art to a school environment that is often really sad.

I involve the students in the whole process, from finding ideas to tracing and painting. I think that having them be part of all the steps is really important because they get to see how an artist works and they get to bring some life into their school.

What's your favourite place to see art?

Instagram, Pinterest, books.

What work of art do you wish you owned?

I just came from MTL to see the Jean-Michel Basquiat exhibit. One day, I will own an original Basquiat. 

Where can we see more from you?

You can see my work on my website and Instagram.

This conversation has been edited and condensed.