Observing the Canadiens Pride Night emblem
As a part of the team’s Pride Night, which was hosted by Scotiabank, Isadora Ayesha has created a logo for the Montreal Canadiens that features the colors of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Her intention is to raise awareness and demonstrate the importance of inclusivity in the sporting world.
There is a special edition of merchandise that benefits You Can Play and GRIS-Montréal, and the logo is included on all of the online and in-arena branding that is associated with the game that will take place on January 15.
From an early age, Ayesha has been fascinated to art. Since then, the graphic design graduate from UQAM has had her work displayed at a number of different venues, including the MURAL Festival in Montreal, SSENSE, LSTW, and other venues. Her current initiative is her first partnership with a professional sports team.
“I don’t follow hockey very closely, but I know the importance the Canadiens hold in Quebec culture,” remarked the artist over a telephone conversation. “It’s not fandom that drew me to the project, but the project in itself; the chance to highlight a social issue while combining aspects of sports and community.”
“Sports are a celebration of talent, skills, physical activity and health. Everyone can enjoy the advantages of athletics, which is why it’s vital for me to spread that message of inclusivity.”
Heading into the project with a carte blanche, Ayesha produced a logo genuine to her style, taking inspiration from gay and pop culture, comic strips, and nightlife.
“My style features many striking and joyous graphic elements. Maybe it’s my LGBT side, and wanting to display it with pride,” added the Montreal native.
Without going into the cliché, she borrowed from aspects that exist commonly in LGBT culture, images, and art. Same with her picked color scheme – a combination of vibrant and colorful hues – that depicts the community nicely without being too literal.
Here is a quick explanation of the final design:
The spark represents innovation, positive energy, and vitality, as well as acting as a metaphor for the initial spark that started the campaign for 2SLGBTQIA+ rights.
The flame symbolizes a beacon of hope, inner power, passion and visibility, also shedding a light on the community.
The spiral, with its combination of hues, depicts dynamism, diversity, energy, life, and the constant flow of one’s individuality.
The row of sparks symbolizes warmth, pride, and the beginnings of a movement for visibility within the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
The rainbow is one of the most prominent emblems of the 2SLGBTQIA+ movement. It signifies variety, inclusivity, and the battle for equality.
The chain can be interpreted in various ways, but it is often used to signify solidarity, togetherness, and resistance in the face of injustice.