About

Iman Bhatti is a Pakistani-Canadian visual artist based in Toronto. Her practice examines cultural identity, gender, and representation, focusing on how visual narratives shape the visibility and perception of Muslim and South Asian women.

In her recent work, Bhatti extends her painting practice into site-responsive media, exploring light, reflection, and surface as tools for disrupting singular interpretations of identity. Informed by lived experience and curatorial thinking, this work moves beyond the studio into public and shared spaces, creating temporary, responsive encounters that invite viewers to reconsider how images circulate and take meaning.

RECENT PROJECTS

Dec 2025 - ONGOING — Veiled Figures, site-responsive public art project, Toronto, ON
Supported by the TOlive Explorations Grant
→ View Project

EXHIBITIONS

Dec 2024 — (IM)MATERIALITY, Solo Exhibition, Shalimar Gardens, Lahore, PK
Sept 2020 — Global Conversations, IKONOSPACE, Online
Aug–Nov 2020 — Colours of South Asia Festival, Online, Brampton, ON
May 2020 — Virtual Stylez, Instagram, Toronto, ON
Jan–Feb 2019 — Painted Identities, John B. Aird Gallery, Toronto, ON
Jul 2017–May 2018 — Experiencing Perspectives, Mercedes-Benz Financial Services, Mississauga, ON
Oct–Nov 2018 — (mus)interpreted, Artscape Youngplace, Toronto, ON
Oct 2017 — In Response to the Women’s Kit, Aida Slaight Gallery, Toronto, ON
Aug 2017 — Navettes Place, Rusty Hinges, Toronto, ON
Sept–Oct 2017 — (mus)interpreted, Daniels Spectrum, Toronto, ON

CURATORIAL PROJECTS

2022 — Project Lead, Lahore Ki Aik Daastan (A Story of Lahore), Dyal Singh Mansion, Lahore, PK
2019–2021 — Curator, FIGMENT Toronto Festival, Dufferin Grove Park, Toronto, ON
Apr 2020 — Curator, (Re)presenting the Muslim Diaspora: Adaptation. Hybridization. Resistance., Online
2018–2019 — Co-Curator, (mus)interpreted, Artscape Youngplace, Toronto, ON

GRANTS & AWARDS

2025 — Explorations Grant, TOlive, Toronto, ON
2017 — Career Launcher Fund, Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers, Toronto, ON

PRESS & PUBLICATIONS

May 2023 — DAWN News, “Visual artist portrays Muslim women’s identities across borders”
Jun 2021 — Aleph Review, Featured Artwork
Oct 2018 — Journal of Critical Inquiry, “Emancipation in an Islamophobic Age”
Oct 2018 — Muslim Link, Review of (mus)interpreted
Oct 2017 — Knott.Art, Review of The Women’s Kit
Jul 2017 — The 6 Hundred, Featured Artist

ARTIST TALKS & WORKSHOPS

2023 — Artist Talk, Transborder Feminist Art, Serena Hotel, Islamabad, PK
2019–2020 — Introduction to Collage Making Workshop (VASA & OCAD)

EDUCATION

2020 — MFA, Criticism & Curatorial Practice, OCAD University, Toronto
2017 — BFA, Drawing & Painting, OCAD University, Toronto