Short Bio
Visual Artist & Art Educator
Statement
My artwork reflects my personal, academic, and professional journey as a Syrian Canadian artist, educator, and designer within a complex and interconnected global world. Every piece viewed independently and collectively raises questions and addresses issues of identity, inclusion, displacement, and new beginnings, which are captured using animals, colors, and intricate details. I see art as a powerful visual narrative that connects people and the environment.
“I Saw a Mime Read” is the title of my current collection. In each of my artworks, there are different species with ‘mime-like’ qualities depicted that are ready to walk, run, and move. At the same time, they remain rooted/connected to the land, culture, values, spiritual/religious beliefs, and home country that form a part of or all their identities. The memories, emotions, struggles, challenges, hopes, and the desire to survive are expressed through the symbolism, geometric figures and details that surround them. The Mime that is within all the depicted species wants to be seen for the work that it does in the present, its rich history, and experiences and its potential but does not want to be seen as the other – a stranger. The message that the Mime aims to send is that “although we are different, we are also the same, and we are all connected”. As a collection, the artworks represent the interconnection and the importance of protecting our oceans, sky, land, and all living beings for there to be a better present and a better tomorrow.
My process varies based on the piece in terms of size and narrative. Each artwork takes up to a month or more to complete. I use a quill pen and ink to draw the intricate details on paper. The dominant colour is black, and the secondary colours include but are not limited to gold, copper, and silver acrylics, to help create a balance and bring to the fore certain symbols. History, religion, and culture influence the storylines in my work and are expressed through images, colours, and symbols. A lot of the symbols and images are embedded within the larger image and are intended to be discovered and deciphered by the audience; the messages that I weave also serve as reminder of the context that the pieces were created in.
Biography
Maisa Mreiwed is a Syrian Canadian artist, fashion designer, art educator, researcher based in London, Ontario. She holds a Fashion Design Diploma from LaSalle College, a Bachelor of Arts with a major in religious studies with distinction, and a Master’s in Art Education from Concordia University in Montréal. In 2007, the Arab International University (AIU) in Syria recruited Maisa to launch and head the Fashion Design Department. As the head of the department and course lecturer, she taught different courses such as Islamic Art, Textiles, Fashion Phenomena, and Costume History. Her research interests include the cultural, socio-political, historical, and religious narratives of art, traditional costumes, textiles, and embroidery. Her designs and artworks reflect her personal journey weaved together with her connection to nature and fabrics as well as her studies of archaeology, art, religious iconography, and the history of fashion. Maisa’s artwork has been exhibited in Canada and abroad. In 2021, one of her paintings was featured on the book cover of Art as an Agent for Social Change published by Brill | Sense. Maisa received several awards including the 2022 Lakehead Arts Integrated Research Award inspired by climate change and climate action. Her current project examines storytelling through textiles.
