about

Zain (b. 1999) is a multi-disciplinary artist from toronto, canada.

Zain's creative pursuits span a diverse array of mediums, including photography, printmaking, illustration, video, sculpture, and installation. her work is driven by a profound commitment to empowering untold narratives.

at the heart of Zain's practice lies a passion for weaving together stories that resonate with authenticity and resilience. through cross-disciplinary approaches, she strives to provoke meaningful dialogue, inviting viewers to engage with the shared experiences that bind us as a community.

Zain holds a BFA from OCAD university in photography and art & social change.

Group Exhibitions

2024 – GradEx 109, OCAD University; Toronto, Canada

2022 – Change, ADC Art Center; Cincinnati, Ohio

2022 – INTAC: Transformations 2022, 3D virtual exhibition by International Art Collaborations Network

2021 – Making Gender, 3D virtual exhibition by 2SLGBTQIA+ Studio at OCAD University

2021 – Tampere International Week, TAMK; Tampere, Finland

2019 – Colour Rom Proud, Royal Ontario Museum; Toronto, Canada

2019 – Culture Days: Fall Art Show, MacDonald House; Thornhill, Canada

2019 – Foreign Feelings/Feeling Foreign, OCAD University; Toronto, Canada

2018 – Come As You Are, 187 Augusta; Toronto, Canada

2017 – Alt 9’s 12th Annual Visual Arts Exhibit, The Gladstone Hotel; Toronto, Canada


Solo Exhibitions

2023 – to the women who came before me, may we meet again, OCAD University; Toronto, Canada

2020 – An Assortment, OCAD University Library; Toronto, Canada

2017 – Humans, CONTACT Photography Festival Open Exhibition, Inglenook Art Gallery; Toronto, Canada


Curated Projects

2021 – Making Gender, 3D virtual exhibition by 2SLGBTQIA+ Studio at OCAD University. Supported by The Faculty of Art Office, OCAD University and organized in collaboration with the Centre for Feminist Research, York University, April 2021


Publications

2024 – when i think of you, i think of us, Self-Published Photo Book; Toronto, Canada

2017 – CONTACT Photography Festival Catalogue, Open Solo-Exhibitions; Toronto, Canada


Awards/Grants

2024 – Career Launcher Fund, RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers; Toronto, Canada

2023 – Ernie & Rivette Herzig Award, OCAD University; Toronto, Canada

2022 – Four Seasons Hotel Award, OCAD University; Toronto, Canada

2021 – OCAD U (TSA Fall) Bursary, OCAD University; Toronto, Canada

2020 – Binet Woodbridge Award, OCAD University; Toronto, Canada

2019 – Barford Family Award, OCAD University; Toronto, Canada

2018 – Delaney Entrance Undergraduate Scholarship, OCAD University; Toronto, Canada


Residencies

2024 – Gallery 44 Residency Career Launcher: Runner-Up, Gallery 44; Toronto, Canada


Education

2024 – BFA Hons in Photography and Art & Social Change, OCAD University; Toronto, Canada.

Using Format