RexFest’s Official MC
Ian Keteku is an international award-winning poet, multi-media artist and educator. Keteku is also the 2010 World Poetry Slam Champion and is committed to using words as both an interpretation and cure for the human condition. Ian explores themes of social justice, mental health, race, diversity, romance and beauty. He has collaborated with the governments of Denmark, Morocco and Ghana, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and many others.
Born and raised by Ghanaian parents, Ian upbringing and life experiences strongly influence his work. He feels spiritually and passionately connected to his heritage. His work reflects ancient African storytelling and tributes to the past themes and lessons from previous generations.
Furthermore, Ian is a passionate practitioner of Afrofuturism; a cultural aesthetic that combines science-fiction, history and fantasy to explore the African-American experience and aims to connect those from the black diaspora with their forgotten African ancestry.
He believes that words have a great power to bring diverse people together, and he uses both poetry and music to communicate messages of unity and courage.
Ian conducts poetry, writing and performance workshops for students of all ages, inspiring people to accept the power of their own voice. Ian believes we are all born poets, some of us just have not realized it yet.
Poetry is the universe’s way of showing us the beauty in emotion, the similarity in experience and the art of living.
Ian Keteku
Ian is also a multi-media artist who often works with video, producing thought-provoking poetic short films. Ian is also featured in the CBC documentary IF The Poet where he coaches a middle-aged man to enter the world of slam poetry.
He recently released his debut book of poetry Black Abacus with Write Bloody North Publishing.
Photo Credit: Jason Hennessy
Follow him on social media and learn more about his latest work.
Social Media:
Twitter: @ianketeku
Instagram: @ianketeku
Facebook: @IanKeteku
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RexFest is a Signature project of the Cultural Hotspot produced in partnership with the City of Toronto and sponsored by Tim Hortons!
