Publication_Information
Anahita Akhavan Artist Talk
September 25, 2024 - September 25, 2024
This artist talk with Anahita Akhavan (alumna MFA 2016), is co-presented alongside AKA Artist-run Centre. The talk will take place between 12:30-1:30pm, at the University of Saskatchewan Murray Building, Room 161. This talk discusses the breadth of Akhavan’s recent practice, while offering visitors an insight to her upcoming exhibition, Reimagine: Narratives, opening Friday, September 27th at AKA Artist-run Centre! image credit: Morgane Clément-Gagnon, 2024.
About the Artist
Anahita Akhavan is a Canadian/Iranian visual artist based in Toronto, Canada. Through the thoughtful use of overlapping geometrical shapes and motifs, Akhavan adopts the symbolism and ornamentation found in Islamic architecture, carpet weaving, and tapestry to create a new visual language. She holds an MFA from the University of Saskatchewan and a BFA from the University of Tehran. Most recently, Akhavan’s work has been exhibited at Expo Chicago (2024), Project Casa in Montreal (2023), DuranMashaal in Montreal (2023), and The United Contemporary in Toronto (2022). She has participated in Artist Residencies at the Banff Center for the Arts in Canada, Joya Air in Spain, and Vorres Museum in Greece. Akhavan has been awarded grants from the Toronto Arts Council, the Ontario Arts Council, the Canada Council for the Arts, the RBC Newcomer Art Award, and the Gloria Josephine Sapena Scholarship Endowment. Her works are installed in the permanent collections of Telus, Capital One, Scotiabank, BMO, TD Bank, and the RBC Art Collection.
AKA Artist-run Centre is a space for emergent practices for artists at any stage of their careers, providing space and support for critical, safe, and open exchange.