Writer, filmmaker, musician, trailblazer, and Renaissance woman Vivek Shraya will spend the afternoon of October 20 from 12pm, at BU discussing how she uses art to explore and celebrate racialized femininity.

Many distinctions follow her large body of work that includes albums, films, and books. Her first poetry book “even this page is white” won a 2017 Publisher Triangle Award and was longlisted for CBC’s Canada Reads. Her debut novel was named one of The Globe and Mail’s Best Books, and her first children’s book was featured on the National Post Bestseller List.

Shraya’s literary accolades include being a four-time Lambda Literary Award finalist, as well as receiving honours from Toronto Arts Foundation and The Writer’s Trust of Canada (there’s more, but there’s not enough room).

In addition to writing books, she also publishes them, being the founder of the imprint VS. Books. A company that not only publishes young writers but provides the mentorship needed to push through systemic barriers that hinder cultural production by Indigenous, Black, or people of colour in Canada.

When she’s not busy being a cultural breaker of chains, Shraya reads and performs internationally, at shows, festival, and post-secondary institutions. She is one half the music duo Too Attached, and has shared the stage with Tegan & Sara. Shraya has been named “Great Canadian Filmmakre of the Future” by CBC Arts and Anokhi Media’s “Most Promising LGBTQ Crusader”.

Shraya’s most recent work, an EP “Part-Time Woman” with the Queer Songbook Orchestra will be the focus of the afternoon, with the question and critique – what defines woman?