Photo by Dennis Ha.
CICA Vancouver is proud to present Part I of the CICA Vancouver x Jelina Couture 2025 International Art Award Group Exhibition, Passage of Fragments. This exhibition brings together a diverse group of emerging and established artists from around the world, showcasing groundbreaking contemporary artworks that reflect a spectrum of cultural perspectives, innovative techniques, and thought-provoking themes.
This exhibition marks the first installment of a two-part series celebrating some of the most remarkable emerging-to-mid-career talent within our community. Featuring works across various mediums—including painting, sculpture, photography, video, and mixed media—Passage of Fragments highlights the global creative community’s dynamism and resilience.
As part of the CICA Vancouver x Jelina Couture International Art Award, visitors are invited to engage with the works and contribute by voting for the People’s Choice Award. Your voice matters in selecting a winner who exemplifies artistic impact and public resonance.
Please use the following link to cast your vote. For the full list of artworks, please visit this link. For more information on the program, please read the following link.
Longlisted artists:
Robyn Asquini
Ben Bogart
Amy J. Dyck
Geoffrey CaoFei Feng
Kezleigh
Shu Chen Li
Shoora Majedian
Andrew James McKay
Mohadese Movahed
Elisabeth Perrault
Lydia Pourmand
Niloufar Samadi
Artem Struyanskiy
Nicholas Tay
Liang Wang
Lacey Jane Wilburn
Lam Wong
Jing Xia
About the Artists
Robyn Asquini
Robyn Asquini is a Canadian painter born in Montreal and based in Toronto. She studied illustration at Sheridan College in Toronto and holds a master’s in art and design from Parsons The New School in New York. Following a career as a commercial artist, she completed the classical drawing and painting program at the Academy of Realist Art in Toronto, where she now teaches. Robyn is an Art Renewal Centre (ARC) Associate Living Master and has earned numerous accolades, including awards from the Society of Canadian Artists, Federation of Canadian Artists, Canadian Portrait Society, BoldBrush, and the ARC. Her work has been exhibited widely in Canada and the US, with recent shows at Modern Eden Gallery in San Francisco, The Salmagundi Club in New York, Abend Gallery in Colorado, and James Baird Gallery in Newfoundland. Currently, Robyn is in residence at the Almenara Art Collection Residency in Córdoba, Spain, where she is completing a portrait commission for the foundation’s private collection.
Ben Bogart
Ben Bogart (they/them) is a neurodivergent non-binary agender adisciplinary artist working for 25 years with generative computational processes and has been inspired by knowledge in the natural sciences in the service of an epistemological inquiry. Ben has produced processes, artifacts, texts, images and performances that have been presented at galleries, art festivals and academic conferences in Canada, the United States of America, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, Australia, Turkey, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Brazil, Hong Kong, Norway and Spain. Notable exhibitions include shows at Transmediale in 2017, the Surrey Art Gallery in 2018, and the Vancouver Art Gallery in 2022.
Ben has participated in residency programs nationally and internationally. Their research and practice have been funded by the Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada, the British Columbia Arts Council and the Canada Council for the Arts. Holding a master’s and a doctorate from Simon Fraser University’s School of Interactive Arts and Technology, Ben’s doctoral work, “a machine that dreams,” combines artistic and scientific models of visual mentation. Recent projects apply machine learning to image-making, engaging with painting history.
Amy J. Dyck
Amy J. Dyck is a contemporary multimedia figurative visual artist and writer based near Vancouver, BC, Canada. While pursuing a design education at the age of 20, Amy’s body collapsed, leading to years of debilitating and elusive symptoms that even her medical team struggled to diagnose, eventually placing her in a wheelchair. To cope with these challenges and to better understand her experiences, she turned to art-making. Her intimate struggle with her body deepened her fascination with the human form as a vessel that holds struggle, emotion, story, and memory. She studied anatomy alongside classical drawing and painting techniques, using these tools—along with playful experimentation—to compose her own narratives and Ab.
Amy regularly exhibits her work, which can be found in private collections across North America and internationally. Featured in recognized magazines, blogs, and a qpublication, she has received numerous awards from international art competitions, including several first-place prizes. In 2024, she was awarded a prestigious Canada Council for the Arts grant. Amy also shares her story and passion for art through podcasts, speaking engagements, and her forthcoming memoir, which explores the intersection of art and illness.
Geoffrey CaoFei Feng
Based in Vancouver, Canada, Feng draws inspiration from the natural beauty of British Columbia and the rich history of his homeland, China. Feng’s paintings explore the profound connections between nature and the human experience, reflecting themes of struggle, resilience, and healing. Through a dialogue with historical narratives, the work juxtaposes landscapes with moments of loss and renewal, inviting viewers to engage with deeper meanings beyond surface observation. By intertwining personal and collective histories, the art seeks to transcend time and space, encouraging reflection on the shared human journey. Ultimately, the artist aims to foster a greater understanding of our place in the world, illuminating both the beauty and challenges of existence while inspiring connection and introspection.
Kezleigh
Kezleigh, also known as Amy Merritt, is a new media, digital artist from Muskoka,Ontario, Canada. Her work focuses on expressing the fragility and complexity of a psyche as it struggles with flaws and irregularities in memory and the subconscious communication of dreams.Her work starts in the digital realm, cathartically piecing together a moment using various software programs. The work is UV-laser printed on the back of acrylic glass and laser-cut into shapes. Custom work is often site-specific and seamlessly integrates with the chosen location. Most recently, she was part of the Artist Project in Toronto, ON, and won the prestigious Gladstone House Award. Her work has been shown nationally and internationally, and she’s been featured in galleries such as the Arta Gallery,Hazelton Fine Art Galleries, The Propeller Art Gallery, and Gallery 1313. She currently lives and works in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Shu Chen Li
Shu Chen was born in China and moved to Vancouver in 2000. She studied Illustration and Graphic Design at Capilano University and spent the next 10 years in the game industry doing concept art and asset production. During this time, she also did personal illustrations after work and showcased them at local conventions and art markets. In 2024, she became an independent artist, hoping to dedicate more time to creating a body of work that captures her own thoughts and visions.
Shoora Majedian
Shoora Majedian holds a Master of Fine Arts from Emily Carr University of Art and Design. She earned an MA from Tehran University and a Post-baccalaureate in Painting And Drawing from SAIC in Chicago. In 2022, she was the recipient of the Joseph Plaskett Painting Award, and in 2023 she was selected for the William and Isabel Pope Artist Residency in Halifax. Aside from doing residencies at the Griffin Art Projects, she has been recognized with grants from the Canada Arts Council, BC Arts Council, and the Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation. She has showcased her work in group exhibitions nationally and internationally, including in Berlin, LA, Tehran, Chicago, Toronto, and Vancouver.
Andrew James McKay
Andrew James McKay is a graduate of the honours arts programme at Emily Carr University of Art+Design. In 2019 he became the first student in the history of that institution to be awarded upon graduation the Lieutenant Governor’s Medal for Inclusion, Democracy and Reconciliation. A three-time recipient of grant support from the Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation, his work has been exhibited with Thierry GoldbergGallery, New York; Monte Vista Projects, Los Angeles; Ground Floor Art Centre, Vancouver; Peter Ohler’sFine Art, Toronto; and Masters Gallery, Calgary.
Mohadese Movahed
Iranian-born visual artist Mohadese Movahed focuses on painting as the core of her studio practice. She earned her BFA from the University of Science and Culture in Tehran, Iran, and completed her MFA at the University of Regina in Saskatchewan, Canada in 2020. Now based in Vancouver, Movahed has exhibited her work nationally and internationally and is a recipient of the prestigious Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation grant. In her painting practice, Movahed moves fluidly between observational and speculative spaces, crafting unique visual experiences. Her work explores her relationship with the built environment through the lenses of memory and physical presence. Delving into the psychology and politics of place, she uncovers allegories embedded in the natural and urban landscapes that surround us.
Elisabeth Perrault
Elisabeth Perrault (b. 1996, Joliette, Canada) is a textile and ceramic artist living and working in Montréal. Perrault is currently pursuing her MFA at Concordia University in Montréal, where she completed her BA in 2020. She is currently participating in a duo exhibition at Carvalho Park Gallery, New York, and a solo show at the Maison de la culture de Maisonneuve, Montreal.” In addition, she is working towards on an upcoming solo exhibition at CIRCA Art Actuel, Montréal. Her most recent solo exhibition was held at Maison des Arts et de la Culture De Bromptonville in Quebec (2024), and her work has been the subject of two solo shows with Galerie Pangée in Montréal (2023 + 2021). This summer, she was a resident at the Baie-Saint-Paul Symposium in Québec (2024), and last year she received the prestigious Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation Grant (2023). Her work has been included in numerous international group exhibitions including Margot Samel Gallery, New York (2024); Arusha Gallery, London(2023); Segrete Tracce di Memoria, Genoa, Italy, (2022); and La Conserverie, Marrakech(2021). Her work was recently acquired by the Contemporary Art Museum of Baie-Saint-Paulin Quebec.
Lydia Pourmand
Lydia Pourmand is a queer, mixed Iranian interdisciplinary designer based in Vancouver, on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh peoples. With a diverse background in motion design, AR, blockchain, gaming, and immersive installations, she explores the convergence of technology and identity, aiming to push the boundaries of digital expression. Pourmand’s work addresses themes of perception, representation, and the ethical implications of technology.
Drawing from her Iranian heritage, Pourmand crafts immersive, thought-provoking environments that challenge viewers to reconsider their relationship with media and technology. One such project, Content Warning, is a 360-degree AI-driven immersive installation that explores the complexities of digital consumption and its blurring of reality.
Pourmand holds a First Class Bachelor of Fine Arts in Animation and VFX from Falmouth University. Over the past decade, she has collaborated on commercial projects with high-profile brands like Saatchi & Saatchi, H&M, Adidas, and Harrods. Recently, she has redirected her focus towards a more profound art practice, with her work showcased at notable galleries and festivals, including the Elevate Tech Conference and The Polygon Gallery.
A passionate advocate for ethical practices in the arts and technology, Pourmand currently serves on the board of CARFAC, where she promotes responsible AI standards for the artistic community. She has also contributed to the CDCE roundtable discussions organized by Canadian Heritage, shaping a cultural data strategy for AI in Canada. Lydia remains committed to using art and technology to foster meaningful social impact and to create spaces for diverse voices in the digital realm.
Niloufar Samadi
Niloufar Samadi (b. 1996, Tehran, Iran) is an emerging interdisciplinary artist based in Vancouver, Canada, whose work engages deeply with the themes of identity, memory, and representation through the mediums of visual art and film. With a Bachelor of Fine Arts inPuppet Theatre from Tehran University of Art, Niloufar has cultivated a distinct approach that combines performance and visual storytelling, reflecting her Iranian heritage and contemporary experiences. Central to her practice is the innovative use of Super 8 film, which she employs as a canvas for her artistic exploration. Niloufar’s visual art practice is informed by feminist theory and the exploration of haptic visuality, where the physical interaction with the artwork fosters a profound connection to the themes of intimacy and identity. By layering visual and sensory experiences, she encourages audiences to navigate the complexities of representation, particularly in the context of marginalized identities. Her commitment to capturing the nuances of Iranian female-identified and queer experiences allows her work to resonate with a broad spectrum of viewers, inviting them to reflect on their own narratives and perceptions.
Her work has been exhibited in various group shows and performances, gaining recognition for its innovative use of materials and its compelling visual language. Her practice continues to challenge conventional narratives, contributing to a richer dialogue about identity and representation in the evolving landscape of art.
Artem Struyanskiy
Artem Struyanskiy is a multimedia artist specializing in drawing and painting, where he explores the intersections of contemporary imagery, scientific thought, and mysticism. His works have been exhibited internationally, including at the Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery, Libby Leshgold Gallery, and MOEC + RBC Media Gallery in Canada, International Astronautical Congress in the Netherlands, 2,04 Gallery in Russia, as well as Hubbell Street Galleries and Isabelle Percy West Gallery in the United States. Notably, his artwork also reached the International Space Station as part of the Moon Gallery’s mission, bridging the earthly and the ethereal.
Artem holds an MFA in Visual Arts from the University of British Columbia (2022), where he received the B.C. Binning Fellowship. He earned a BFA in Painting and Drawing from California College of the Arts in San Francisco and an AA in Graphic Design from Stroganov Moscow State University of Arts and Industry. His diverse academic background, spanning institutions in Canada, the United States, and Russia, shapes his interdisciplinary approach to artmaking. Residencies have been integral to Artem’s practice, providing platforms for both experimentation and collaborative exploration. He has participated in notable programs such as the Leaning Out of Windows (LOoW) project in collaboration with physicists, the Vermont Studio Center Residency, the St. Petersburg Art Residency (SPAR), and the AICAD New York Studio Residency Program. His recent contribution URP Painting to TheWrong Biennale allowed him to explore digital aspects of visual storytelling, integrating traditional and contemporary techniques.
Artem’s work reflects a dedication to both the materiality of painting and its conceptual possibilities. Through a range of exhibitions—from duo shows like his recent presentation at 221A Studios in Vancouver in collaboration with Sai Di to group exhibitions such as Protean Lattice at the Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery—he engages with themes of identity, technological influence, and the unseen structures of the universe. These exhibitions include collaborations and solo explorations that continuously expand his thematic interests.
In addition to his exhibition history, Artem has been recognized with multiple awards, including the B.C. Binning Memorial Fellowship and the San Francisco Curator’s Award, underscoring his commitment to innovation within his field. His work is also documented in publications such as Leaning Out of Windows: An Art and Physics Collaboration (2023), bridging his artistic practice with scientific discourse.
Nicholas Tay
Born in 1977, Nicholas Tay is a multi-disciplinary artist of Singaporean-Chinese descent whose works draw from his personal Chinese immigrant experiences as subject matter. Nicholas works primarily with drawing, painting, and photography to explore themes of identity, belonging and our relationship with memory. Nicholas received his formal art training from the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California. He currently splits his time between Hong Kong, and working in his studio in Vancouver, British Columbia, located on the unceded and traditional territory of the Musqueam, Tsleil Waututh and Squamish peoples. His works have been exhibited in Vancouver, Seoul, Bangkok and Rome.
Liang Wang
Liang Wang, a Taiwanese Canadian artist based in Vancouver, BC, was born in Taiwan in 1992. Growing up across Taiwan, China, Australia, and Canada, Wang brings a layered perspective to his work, reflecting his experiences of migration and cultural transition. A 2022 graduate of OCAD University with a BFA, Wang’s art has been showcased in exhibitions across Canada and Taiwan and is included in private collections in Canada, the United States, New Zealand, and Taiwan. His work explores urban landscapes, memory, and the intersections of past and present through a distinctive and detailed lens.
Lacey Jane Wilburn
Lacey Jane Wilburn (b. 1988, Edmonton, Alberta) is a contemporary artist most notable for her figurative and architectural paintings that oscillate between gesture and reality. Wilburn studied Fine Art at the University of Grant MacEwan in Edmonton in 2009, and received her Bachelor of Fine Art with Great Distinction from Concordia University in Montreal in 2016, including a semester abroad at the l’Ecole d’Enseignement Supérieur d’art de Bordeaux in France, and in 2022, graduated from Emily Carr University of Art and Design with a Master’s in Fine Art. She has participated in over 45 exhibitions since 2009, received 2 University Women’s Club of Vancouver Scholarships, won the Yves Gaucher Prize in Studio Arts in 2016, the D. L. Stevenson Colour Scholarship for Academic Excellence in 2014, the Francis Henderson Klingle Scholarship for Fine Art in 2009, The Barbara and John Poole Family Endowed Fund for the Arts in 2009, the Jason Lang Scholarship for Excellence in 2007, and with the honourable mention for the Opus Award in 2022. In 2010, she formed the urban art duo LALA [Lacey And Layla Art] which has developed over 140 public mural interventions across Canada, France, Honduras, Uganda and Iceland, and has received grants from federal and municipal funding. Wilburn now lives in Whistler, BC, on the ancestral and unceded territories of the Squamish and Lil’wat nations, working on her upcoming painting series with the generous support of the Canada Council for the Arts, and teaching Fine Art part-time at Emily Carr University.
Lam Wong
Lam Wong is a visual artist and curator who immigrated from Hong Kong to Canada during the 1980s and studied design, art history, and painting in Alberta and British Columbia. Wong works with painting, installation, and performance to engage with themes such as the perception of reality, the role of art, and the relationship between time, memory, and space. He sees artmaking as an ongoing spiritual practice, and his work draws upon his knowledge of Western art history and his interest in Taoism and Buddhism.
Wong’s creative approach is often concerned with blending Eastern philosophies and challenging the notion of painting. Wong has exhibited with many luminary artists, including Ai Wei Wei, Stephan Balkenhol, John Cage, Sophie Calle, Stan Douglas, Robert Filliou, Yoko Ono, Wayne Ngan, and Stephen Waddell. He has collaborated with many Canadian artists, including Marian Penner Bancroft, Glenn Lewis, Michael Morris, Vincent Trasov, Jeff Wall, and Lawrence Paul Yuxweluptun.
He has been the recipient of numerous awards and fellowships, including the City of Vancouver grant, the Province of BC grant, the Canada Council for the Arts Research and Creation grant, The Polygon Gallery Lind Emerging Artist Prize (long-listed, 2020), the explorASIAN Award (Visual Art, 2022), and the Banff Centre Visual Art Scholarship (2023). Wong’s work has been published in numerous publications internationally, including Artron (China), Westcoast Curated, Artomity (HK), ReIssue, In The Present Moment: Buddhism, Contemporary Art and Social Practice (Figure 1, 2022), Whitehot Magazine of Contemporary Art (NYC), The Capilano Review, Hyperallergic, Vancouver Special: Disorientations and Echo (Vancouver Art Gallery and Information Office, 2022), ARTFORUM (Critics’ Picks, 2023), MONTECRISTO, and Asia Art Archive. His monographs include 21 Elements: Relation, Perception, and Meaning (FORMAT, 2015) and Ghosts From Underground Love (Canton-Sardine, 2023).
Jing Xia
Born in China, Xia studied industrial design at Emily Carr University in Canada and Lund University in Sweden. Now based in Vancouver, her studio practice is driven by an exploration of textures, sensations, and imaginative possibilities. Guided by the interplay of bodily energy and open-ended associations, the artist embraces a process rooted in curiosity and experimentation. Through playful interactions with materials and ideas, the work evolves into a dynamic and ever-growing microcosm, celebrating the beauty found in the unexpected and the world around us.
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