FARSH 2
Project at a glance
Location: Erin Meadows Community Centre (2800 Erin Centre Blvd, Mississauga, ON L5M 6R5)
Artists: Roda Medhat
Documentarian: Sofia Habib
Year: 2023
Service: Artist Capacity Building
1
artist-in-residence
2
exhibition locations
24
sq foot artwork
About the project
Roda Medhat’s 2023 CreateSpace Public Art Residency project FARSH 2 is a 4 x 6-foot aluminum rug, intricately designed with Water-Jet cut patterns inspired by West-Asian and Kurdish symbolism. The wall-mounted rug is painted red to pay homage to the traditional design style of the rugs of the region. This contemporary fusion of tradition and innovation celebrates Kurdish culture and invites dialogue on cultural identity and craftsmanship.
This artwork serves as an exploration of the complex web of identity that envelops the artist and his Kurdish heritage. It delves into the historical significance of traditional craftwork within Kurdish culture and, more broadly, the region’s heritage.
“STEPS really gave me the tools, mentorship and lessons needed to be able to pursue a professional career in public art.”
At its core, FARSH 2 becomes a contemplation of the shifting tides in the world of craftsmanship. It reflects on the migration of these cherished traditions away from their birthplace, driven by the lower labor costs and the convenience of mass production in East-Asian factories. A poignant question emerges: What happens when the very essence of traditional craft, the labor imbued with cultural significance, and the intricate symbolism it carries, are recreated in distant lands, thousands of miles removed from their origins?
The public artwork was originally exhibited at 401 Richmond in Toronto, and then installed at Erin Meadows Community Center in Mississauga.
About the artists
Roda Medhat
Roda Medhat is a Kurdish-Canadian artist, currently based in Toronto, Canada. He obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from OCAD University, where he specialized in video art, photography, and sculpture/installation work. Additionally, he studied film production at FAMU Film and Television School of Prague.
Roda’s diverse body of work has been exhibited in galleries, theatres and public spaces throughout Canada. In 2022, his sculpture FARSH was featured at Toronto’s Nuit Blanche, receiving widespread acclaim in local media. In 2023 Roda was selected as the 401 Richmond Career Launcher Prize recipient.
Funders
The 2023 CreateSpace Residency is supported by the Canada Council for the Arts and TD Bank Group through the TD Ready Commitment. We also acknowledge the support of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation with funding provided by the Government of Canada.
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