Roda Medhat

      Roda Medhat is a Kurdish-Canadian artist, currently based in Toronto, Ontario. He obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from OCAD University, where he specialized in video art, photography, and sculpture/installation work. He also honed his skills in film production at FAMU Film and Television School in Prague.

      Roda's diverse body of work has been exhibited in galleries around the world, including the Osaka University of Art in Japan (2017). He has also exhibited his sculpture, installation, and film work in various galleries throughout Ontario. In 2022, his sculpture FARSH was featured at Toronto's Nuit Blanche, a highly respected annual event, receiving widespread acclaim in local media. In 2023 Roda was selected as the 401 Richmond Career Launcher Prize recipient for 2024.

     As an artist who values accessibility, Roda designs sculptures that everyone can appreciate, transcending 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

• October 2023 -  Killim, Nocturne, Halifax, Nova Scotia.
• September 2023 -  Killim, Nuit Blanche, Toronto.
• September 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.

Awards

• 401 Richmond Career Launcher Prize 2024
• 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 2022 - REEL Asian Film Festival, Programme Guide, Toronto.
• Sept 2022 - Nuit Blanche 2022 fills ‘The Space Between Us’ with art,  The Toronto Star, Web/Print, Canada.
  
• Sept 2022 -What to see at Toronto’s Nuit Blanche, The Globe and Mail, Web, Canada.
  
• 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.

Film Credits

• Nov 2022 - Director, Writer and Cinematographer, Dutar,  Toronto.
• Nov 2017 - Cinematographer, Hotel Lobby Oyster, Toronto.
• ​May  2016 - Focus Puller, 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/Color grading, BBC, Reading, UK.
• Apr 2014 - Dance of Two, Augmented Cinema Film Festival, Toronto.

Artist Talks  & Educator

• 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.