story:
I am a strategic storyteller with a focus on building a better future. Since 2008, after graduating from architecture school, I have dedicated my practice to curating content in collaboration with innovative architects, artists, and designers, propelling their vision forward. Armed with a master’s in Future Studies, I value the clarity that stems from thoughtful, qualitative contextual research, resulting in effective growth. My dissertation, Beyond Exhibitions, cites storytelling as a compelling method for offering an accessible dialogue about our cultural evolution.
Curious and analytical, I continue to investigate the most forward-looking interventions—in art/architecture/design—within their cultural context, finding their value and influence in our evolutionary process. In my practice, 'content + space' is media—whether physical or digital—informing the experience of 'time.' Over the years, my essay-like content has been curated globally in various formats—exhibitions, installations, festivals, editorials, interviews, documentaries, proposals, presentations, project stories, archival content, white papers, and panel discussions. This body of work has been the result of working with innovative architects, artists, designers, and interdisciplinary institutions such as the Aga Khan Museum, Hot Docs Festival, New York's Governors Island Art Fair, MacLaren Art Centre, Art Gallery of Ontario, Harbourfront Centre, and Canada's Design Museum (Design Exchange) as well as contributions to renowned journals. As the founder of the Curatorial Agency, I am currently curating independent projects in contemporary art and supporting the development of cutting-edge architecture/design firms with a curated approach.
AWARD/
2017 - First Prize at the annual APF (Association of Professional Futurists)
EDUCATION/
2019 - Master of Design (MDes) in Strategic Foresight & Innovation, OCAD University
2008 - Bachelor of Architectural Science (B. Arch Sci), Toronto Metropolitan University
2004 - Diploma, Sabouhi Academy of Art & Design
2004 - Diploma, Langstaff Secondary School (French Immersion)
AFFILIATION/
Association of Professional Futurists (APF)
EXHIBITIONS I INSTALLATIONS I RESIDENCIES/
2023 - Brooklyn, New York
Refrain (Solo Exhibition)
The Bridge & Tunnel Gallery
2022 - Brooklyn, New York
silence/d (Group Exhibition)
The Bridge & Tunnel Gallery
2022 - Tehran
Through the Lens (Group Exhibition)
Sham Art Gallery
2022 - Brooklyn, New York
A Daily Dread (Group Exhibition)
The Bridge & Tunnel Gallery
2022 - Brooklyn, New York
Views from the Stoops, a Love Story (Solo Exhibition)
The Bridge & Tunnel Gallery
2021 - Toronto, Brooklyn, Milan, London, Tehran, Sydney
Front Camera/Back Camera (International Video Art Installation)
Onsite Gallery, OCAD University
The Bridge & Tunnel Gallery
Park Hub
Ab-Anbar Gallery
Dastan Gallery
Yavuz Gallery
2020 - Tehran
Honey, I am home! (Solo Exhibition)
Dastan Gallery
2020 - Tehran
Untitled, a Performance (Installation)
Selected for the 8th Tehran Sculpture Biennale
[withdrawn as a political dissent]
2019 - Toronto
Chicheka Lullaby (Documentary Film)
Tirgan Festival at Harbourfront Centre
2019 - Toronto
Interwoven (Installation)
Aga Khan Museum
2018 - Toronto
Interwoven (Installation)
Nuit Blanche, Bata Shoe Museum
2018 - Toronto
Soft Souls (Installation)
First Thursday at the AGO, Art Gallery of Ontario
2018 - Tehran
We Are Image-making Machines (Solo Exhibition)
Aaran Projects Gallery
2017 - Toronto
Evolution (Group Exhibition)
Design Exchange - Canada's Design Museum
2016 - Tehran
Floral Compositions: Travelers of Time (Solo Exhibition)
Aaran Gallery
2015 - New York
Transmutation (Installation)
Governors Island Art Fair
2015 - Toronto
Soft Souls (Solo Exhibition)
Walnut Contemporary
2014 - Toronto
From Nothing, Something (Documentary Film)
Bloor Hot Docs Cinema
2014 - Toronto
Home (Installation)
MakeWorks
2014 - Toronto
Toronto Design Festival (Executive Director in Residence)
65 City-wide Venues
2013 - Toronto
Vanity (Installation)
Weybourne Project, Luff art + dialogue Gallery
2012 - Toronto
Soudan Project (Residency)
2011 - Barrie
Intermission: 18 years 18 projects (Retrospective Exhibition)
MacLaren Art Centre
2010 - Toronto
Coalesce (Solo Exhibition)
Arta Gallery
2008 - Toronto
Fabric (Group Exhibition)
Paul H. Cocker Gallery, Ryerson University
EXPERIENCE/
2020-Current Toronto
Founder & Principal, Curatorial Agency
2023-2024 Toronto
Content Specialist, LGA Architectural Partners
2022-Current Toronto I New York
Director, Hoda Zarbaf Art Foundation
2019-20 Toronto I New York I Vancouver
Content Writer & Curator, Diamond Schmitt Architects
2017-18 Toronto
Director of Content & Strategy, Kearns Mancini Architects
2014-16 Toronto
Content Strategist, Sweeny &Co Architects
2014-14 Toronto
Integrated Content Specialist, Harbourfront Centre
2012-14 Toronto I Edmonton I Calgary I Vancouver
Manager of Content & Development (Toronto Studio), DIALOG Design
2012-12 Toronto
Associate, Kriss Communications
2009-12 Toronto
Curator/Director of Content & Strategy, Hariri Pontarini Architects
ENGAGEMENTS I REVIEWS I EDITORIALS/
2023 - Azure Magazine
In Toronto, Canvas House Breaks from Convention, Review
2022 - OCAD University
Hoda Zarbaf: an Iranian Woman, Panel Discussion
2022 - Archello
The Bennington Farmhouse, Editorial
2022 - Persbook’s Annual Contemporary Art Event
The Trace of Life:
Recycled Art & Hoda Zarbaf’s Artistic Practice, Talk
2021 - Darz Art
Front Camera/Back Camera, Review
2021 - SMPS Ontario
Strategic Storytelling, Talk
2020 - Azure Magazine
Forno Cultura’s Latest Outpost is Rooted in the Culture of Toronto, Essay
2020 - IDS20
Business of Design, Panel Discussion
2019 - Iran International TV
Tirgan Festival, Interview
2018 - Iran International TV
Aga Khan Museum in Toronto, Interview
2018 - Iran Art
An Exhibition to See, Review
2017 - Innovation Nation Radio
Biomimicry Design, Interview
2017 - DX Talks
Natural Inspiration, Talk
2017 - Canadian Architect
Design Exchange Exhibition Examines How Design Imitates Nature, Review
2016 - ArchDaily
Hans Hollein Reflects on His Career, Editorial Conversation
2014 - Bahen Centre
Public & Community Engagement Through Design, Panel Discussion
2014 - GradEX at OCAD University
Future Practice of Art & Design, Panel Discussion
2013 - ArchDaily
In Conversation with Will Alsop, Editorial Conversation
2013 - Ryerson University
Critical Practice in Architecture, Panel Discussion
2012 - Georgian College
Carnegie Days Festival, Talk
2011 - eArchitect
Editorial Board Member
2009 - Canadian Architect
Carrot City, Editorial
2008 - Spacing Magazine
When Theatre & Architecture Merge, Editorial
2007 - 325+ Magazine
Ryerson University Journal of Architecture, Chief Content Editor
2000 - International Children Film Festival
The International Cinema Category, Youth Jury Member