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.

     As an artist who values accessibility, Roda designs sculptures that transcend the confines of formal art institutions. His creative vision often centres on the experience of being a child of the 1.5 generation, exploring the complexities of living between cultures. Through his art, Roda seeks to bridge cultural divides and promote a sense of shared human experience. His dedication to creating socially impactful and visually stunning art underscores his commitment to advancing the boundaries of contemporary art. 

Exhibits &  Works

• Oct 2023 to May 2025 - FARSH 2, Erin Mills CC, Mississauga, Ontario. 
• Nov 2023 to Jan 2024 -  LED FARSH, Celebration Square, Mississauga, Ontario.
• Nov 2023 -  In-Between, RA:X Reel Asian, Toronto, Ontario.
• Oct 2023 -  Killim: Inflatable , Nocturne, Halifax, Nova Scotia.
• Sept 2023 -  Killim: Inflatable, Nuit Blanche, Toronto.
• Sept 2023 -  Tight Spaces, Nuit Blanche, Toronto.
• Apr - June 2023 - Bigger Daisy, Burlington Waterfront Sculpture Trail, Burlington, Ontario.
  
• Dec 2022 - Socotra Tree, Small Arms Inspection Building, Mississauga.
• Oct 2022 - FARSH, Nuit Blanche; Toronto.
• May - Oct 2022 - Big Daisy, Elora Sculpture Project, Elora, Ontario.
• Jan 2018 - Moment of Existence, ONLYONE Gallery, Toronto.
• Nov 2017 - Turmoil, OFF_Festival, European Month of Photography, Slovakia.
• Nov 2017 - REDLIGHT film photography Exhibit, CineCycle, Toronto.
• Sept to Dec 2017 - Rules of Existence, Urban Green: artscarp, Centre3, Hamilton, Ontario.
  
• June 2017 - Turmoil, Osaka University of Arts, Osaka, Japan.
• May 2017 - Memories Through Colour, OCAD U, Toronto.

Grants & Awards

• 401 Richmond Career Launcher Prize 2024
• Canada Council For The Arts. Arts Across Canada Travel 2023
• Ontario Arts Council. Visual Artists Creation Projects 2023
• Ontario Arts Council. Market Development Travel Grant 2023
• Burlington Waterfront Sculpture Trail Audience Choice Award 2023

Artist Residency

• 2023 - Sari-Sari Xchange, McMaster-York University-Reel Asian.
• 2023 - CreateSpace, STEPS Public Art, Toronto.
  
• 2023 - New Location, Digital Artist Residency.

Publications

• Nov 2023 - Reel Asian goes beyond the screen, Foyer, Web. Link
• Oct 2023 - CBC Arts Newsletter, web. Link
• Oct 2023 - All the must-sees at Halifax's Nocturne 2023, CBC, web. Link
• Sept 2023 - Nuit Blanche in Toronto 2023: Tight Spaces, Toronto Scoop, Web. Link
  
• Sept 2023 - Your 2023 Guide to Nuit Blanche, PEGGY, Web. Link
• July 2023 - ANNOUNCING THE 2023 RECIPIENT OF THE 401 CAREER LAUNCHER PRIZE: RODA MEDHAT, 401 Richmond, Web.
  
• Nov 2022 - REEL Asian Film Festival, Reel Asian Programme Guide, Toronto.
• Sept 2022 - Nuit Blanche 2022 fills ‘The Space Between Us’ with art,  The Toronto Star, Web/Print, Canada. Link
  
• Sept 2022 -What to see at Toronto’s Nuit Blanche, The Globe and Mail, Web, Canada. Link
  
• May 2022 - RAD Magazine photographer, Web/Print, Toronto.
• Jan 2020 - Front cover for Pinstriped Magazine Issue 14; Web/Print, Los Angeles.
• Oct 2018 - Noisey Magazine, Music Video Published; Web
• Nov 2017 - Fader Magazine Music Video Published; Web
• June 2017 - Turmoil, International Art Collaboration Catalogue; Osaka, Japan
• May 2017 -  41 Artist to watch from the OCADU graduate exhibition, BlogTO, Toronto. 
• Apr 2014 - Augmented Cinema Film Festival, Film Catalogue Toronto.

Artist Talks  & Educator

• October 2023 - Artist Talk: Creating an appetite for Kurdish Art: Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, Halifax.
• Mar - June 2023 - Educator at Youth Public Art Engagement program, Recreate Place, Toronto.
• July 2022 - Summer Student Program: OCAD University, Toronto.
• Nov 2021 - Lives of Creatives: OCAD U Alumni Panel, Toronto.
• June 2021 - Emerging Creatives Panel: ArtWorksTO, Toronto.

Education

• 2023 - Shahrzad Arshadi's Writers Workshop, SoulPepper Theatre, Toronto.
• 2022 - Reel Asian Unsung Voices Program;  Canada.
• 2021 - Certificate in Continuing Studies; OCAD University; Toronto.
• 2021 - ArtWorksTO Next Stream Participant; Toronto.
• 2017 - Bachelor of Fine Arts: Integrated Media, OCAD University; Toronto.
• 2016 - Film Production, FAMU Film and Television School; Prague.

Film Screenings

• Sept 2023 - Dutar, Sinema Akhir Tahun, Surakarta, Indonesia.
  
• Sept 2023 - Dutar, MINIKINO, Bali, Indonesia.
• Sept 2023 - Dutar, Toronto Multicultural Film Festival, Scarborough.
  
• Aug 2023 - Dutar, Kurdish Indepedent International Film Festival, Online.
• ​Nov 2022 - Dutar, Reel Asian Film Festival, Toronto.
• Dec 2014 - Step of Two, York Region Film Festival, Toronto.
• Apr 2014 - Step of Two, Augmented Cinema Film Festival, Toronto.

Film Credits

• Nov 2022 - Director, Writer and Cinematographer, Dutar,  Toronto.
• Nov 2017 - Cinematographer, Hotel Lobby Oyster, Toronto.
• ​May  2016 - First AC, Juneteenth,, Prague.
• Apr 2016 - Assistant Camera, Babuska, Prague.
• Apr 2016  - Sound Recordist, Carrots, Prague.
  
• Apr 2016 - Sound Recordist, FAMU production, Prague.
• Apr  2016 - Sound Recordist, FAMU production, Prague.
• Feb 2016 - Editor/Colour grading, BBC, Reading, UK.
• Apr 2014 - Director, Dance of Two, Toronto.