Zahra Saleki, an alumna from York University’s School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design (AMPD) has recently won the prestigious “Catherine Bratty Award for Best of Art Fair” at the Toronto Outdoor Art Fair.
“This recognition validates the countless hours and unwavering passion I have dedicated to my craft, says Saleki. “It highlights the significance of my work and amplifies my voice within the artistic community.”
Her winning project was a selection of work from “The Storm is You”, a 200-piece collection of dance photography, each telling a part of the story of transformation and resilience. One of the many standout pieces in the collection is “Portrait of an Immigrant” which presents immigrants and their transformation through dance and light. “I think when we move from one place to another, not only we carry all of ourselves, but we start to grow into a much bigger abstract version of ourselves,” she says.
Reflecting on her time at AMPD, Saleki acknowledges the pivotal role her education played in shaping her career.
Portrait of an Immigrant by Zahra Saleki, 2017
“My education in at AMPD was instrumental in preparing me for the future. Our teachers and mentors challenged us to visualize philosophy and social issues through fine art.” She notes one of her most influential mentors, Professor Leslie Korrick, who encouraged her to look beyond the surface and explore deeper meanings in her work. This rigorous academic environment fostered her ability to address various topics creatively and laid the groundwork for her successful career.
Zahra Saleki posing with her award at the Toronto Outdoor Art Fair
Saleki has always had a passion for fine art photography, video and installation art. She has consistently used her art to create awareness on topics such as politics and human rights while also celebrating the beauty in everyday moments. “It is important to see the light that runs into your room early in the morning. I believe every story starts with a small, simple moment in life,” she says.
Her artistic journey took a significant leap in 2016 when the Toronto art community first recognized her for her 'Girl Talk' project, which featured on the cover of NOW Magazine as part of the Nuit Blanche festival. In 2017, her work was showcased at the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO). Since then, her art has been featured in various national and international media outlets, including CBC, The Creator Class, Canadian Art, and Vice.
For more information and to see more of Saleki’s work visit the Toronto Outdoor Art Fair website.