Artist Biography
Maisa Mreiwed is a Syrian-Canadian artist, researcher, and educator based inToronto, Ontario, Canada. She holds a Fashion Design Diploma from LaSalle College, a BA in Religious Studies, and an MA in Art Education from Concordia University in Montréal, Canada. She is presently pursuing a PhD in Media and Design Innovation at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) focussing on storytelling through textiles.
In 2007, Maisa was invited to the Arab International University in Syria to establish and lead the Fashion Design Department. During her tenure, she launched the department, supported faculty, staff and students, and taught courses including Islamic Art, Textiles, Fashion Phenomena, and Costume History.
Passionate about both teaching and exploring the arts in its many forms, Maisa creates intricate works of art that incorporate signs and symbols to raise thought-provoking questions and address themes drawn from both the past and present. She views art as a powerful visual narrative that fosters meaningful connections between people and their environment.
Her artwork has been showcased nationally and internationally through residencies, exhibitions, public art installations, and conference presentations. Notably, her work was featured in the Art à la Carte exhibition at the Ontario Parliament Legislative Assembly building. It has also been displayed on traffic signal boxes in London, Ontario, and appeared on the cover of the book Art as an Agent for Social Change (2021), published by Brill|Sense.
In 2022, Maisa received the Arts Integrated Research Award from Lakehead University, in recognition of her work inspired by climate change and action. Her chapter, “Storytelling through Textiles,” was published in the book Connections in and through Arts-based Educational Research (2023) published by Springer Nature, and her artwork was featured in a climate action art and research catalogue titled: One Cell, The World (2024) published by FriesenPress.
Maisa is an active member of several prestigious organizations and associations, including the Canada Council for the Arts, the London Arts Council, the Comparative and International Education Society (CIES), the International Council of Museums Canada (ICOM), and The International Society for Education Through Art (InSEA).
Artist Statement
My artwork reflects my personal, academic, and professional journey as a Syrian Canadian artist, educator, and designer within an interconnected global world. Drawing inspiration from both the tangible realities of my surroundings and the ethereal landscapes of my dreams, each artwork tells a story of survival through the eyes of different living beings embedded within layers of geometric figures, intricate details and symbols inviting viewers on a journey of exploration and wonder. The overarching message is one of unity emphasizing the importance of safeguarding our oceans, skies, lands, and all beings for a more promising present and future.
The artistic process for each artwork varies as it is guided by the story, canvas and scale. To tell each story, I use a quill and ink with black as a dominant colour complemented by secondary colours such as gold, copper, and silver acrylics, to create a harmonious balance and accentuate key symbols. Each stroke of the quill helps capture the beauty and emotions that manifest in my subconscious transcending the limitations of verbal communication inviting the audience to join me in the exploration of a world where words are unnecessary, and the language of the soul is depicted in shades of ink.
I see art as a powerful visual narrative that enables reflection, critical thinking, and connects people to each other and the environment. Each element and symbol that I weave into my artworks is intentional. While the meaning may vary, the intention is for the viewers to discover something new every time they look at a piece and use their imagination to decipher the messages.