Art with Kiona | Michelle Campos Castillo

Response to We Were Younger Once by Kiona Callihoo Ligtvoet

I sent this message to Kiona after hosting her book launch the evening before. The book, “We Were Younger Once,” is out in the world now. It’s a perfect extension to her work as a painter and visual artist, detailing her memories and love for her moshom’s land.

“Our people” have always been part of our bond as friends. There’s a mutual understanding that we want our art to be a celebration of where we come from and the folks who ran along with us through long prairie grass and dirt patches.

The lands that we reference in our art happen to be across the continent from one another. Her moshom’s land is just outside Edmonton and my childhood neighbourhood is in San Salvador. I worry that I’ll never be able to convey the magic of this place, and would gladly bring anyone willing to endure several plane rides and traffic jams to get there and witness. Kiona, on the other hand, seems more protective of what she shares—IYKYK. The rest of us are lucky to get any glimpses at all and we should remember that.