born 1977. Lives and works in Toronto, ON.

Abbas Akhavan’s practice is characterized by his use of ephemeral materials to explore themes of domesticity and hospitality. Through drawing, performance, video and installation the artist invites viewers to consider relationships of power at the levels of family, community, nation and beyond. Since completing his MFA, Akhavan has spent ample time travelling the world to participate in artistic residencies as diverse as the Delfina Foundation Residency in London, England to the Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art Artist Encounters program in Doha, Qatar.Such encounters, termed by the artist as “radical acts of hospitality”, have further shaped how he approaches site-specific or temporal projects. Akhavan was the winner of the 2015 Sobey Art Award, Canada's largest prize for young Canadian artists.