Artist Bio

Shaheer Zazai is an Afghan-Canadian artist with a current studio practice both in painting and digital media. Zazai received a BFA from OCAD University in 2011.

Zazai’s practice focuses on exploring and attempting to investigate the development of cultural identity in the present geopolitical climate and diaspora. The digital works revolve around Microsoft Word and imagery reminiscent of traditional Afghan carpets. Through mimicking carpet-making methods, Zazai creates his own designs in Microsoft Word, where every knot of a carpet is translated into a typed character.

Some of his recent notable exhibitions include a solo exhibition at the Agha Khan Museum in Toronto, exhibition at Doris McCarthy Gallery, a solo exhibition at Owens Art Gallery as part of visiting artist program at Mount Allison University in New Brunswick, Exhibition at The Power Plant Contemporary and currently part of an exhibition at the Florida State University’s Museum of Fine Arts.