SAY Launch Event
A 4-hour event at the heart of downtown held on Friday, August 19th 2022, hosting 100 second-generation South Asian Canadian youth (ages 15 to 29) from Scarborough and the GTA. The event featured a SAY popup shop and South Asian creatives. The launch included complimentary refreshments, networking, and an introduction to SAY.
FEATURED CREATIVES
FEATURED CREATIVES
TAKE A MINUTE TO CHECK OUT OUR FEATURED CREATIVES FROM THE LAUNCH!
Ari Para
Ari is a second generation Sri-Lankan-Canadian, Hindu, non-binary, queer artivist based in Scarborough, Ontario. They are an ESL teacher, theatre artist and a writer with a passion for reading, learning and unlearning.
Ari has co-created a theatre show archiving their queer faith journey called That Power, a play focusing on queer interfaith dialogue that was highlighted in In The Soil Arts Festival 2020. They are currently working on adapting That Power as new life experiences impact their queer faith journey.
Ari has also recently published a collection of poems called Dear Body about overcoming challenges in their life without sacrificing who they are.
Lilsun
Sneha (aka lilsun) is a Queer ND Tamil Artist and Illustrator from Sri Renga Narayana Puram India based in Scarborough. She works in a variety of mediums including coloured pencil, gouache, watercolor, acrylic inks, acrylic paint, clay, henna, and wool. She also uses Procreate to make stunning digital illustrations. Sneha's work is heavily influenced by her connection to the world and often has underlying spiritual, natural, and cultural themes. In addition to her personal work, Sun works as a graphic designer, primarily helping POC create logos, posters, and other illustrations to help promote their small businesses. She is a loving soul who is full of light, if you want to work with her, view her creations, or purchase some of her work, you can do so at sneharav.com or on Instagram as @lilsun.draws.
Trish Kapilan
Trish is a Sri Lankan Tamil artist who immigrated to Canada at a young age. Through art, she has discovered more about her identity and has used it as an opportunity to express her relationship with the body and her intersectionality.
Trish is a second-year fashion student at Toronto Metropolitan University. She is interested in South Asian textiles and drapes and works with fusion garments. Her latest piece is based on the rediscovery of her Tamil identity within a diasporic community.
Her recent passions have been body modifications, especially tattoos. Come see some of her new tattoo sketches as well as a few of her recent works at the SAY launch!
Vishnu Premadas
Vishnu Premadas is a first-generation Queer Tamil artist. Vishnu’s work is an exploration of their relationship with the trauma and culture they experience. Using a range of mediums like natural dyes, yarn, watercolour etc, forming things that they cannot express in words. This fall they will be attending Toronto Metropolitan University for Creative Industries. Reach them at @vishnupremadas or Instagram for inquiries.
Ashwini Thayaparan
Ashwini is a multidisciplinary Tamil artist who currently studies fashion design at Toronto Metropolitan University. She mainly uses digital and textile mediums to transform ideas and thoughts into tangible pieces and visuals. Her inspirations come from childhood experiences, nature, and endless daydreaming.