Leila Zelli, Artist – Montreal
Born in Tehran, Leila Zelli (she/her) holds an MFA (2020) and a BFA (2016) in Visual and Media Arts from the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM). She is interested in the relationship we have with ideas of “others” and “elsewhere,” and more specifically within this geopolitical space referred to by the questionable term “Middle East.” She creates in situ digital installations using existing images, videos, and texts. The resulting visual and sound experiences create an opportunity to reflect on the state of the world, the relationship with the Other, and the actual effect of our actions on humanity.
Her work has been shown at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, Dazibao, the Conseil des arts de Montréal, and Galerie de l’UQAM, among other venues. She is the laureate of the 2023 Prix Lynne-Cohen and the 2021 laureate of the Claudine and Stephen Bronfman Fellowship in Contemporary Art. She is represented by Pierre-François Ouellette art contemporain, and her work is included in this year’s Toronto Biennial of Art, which opens on September 21 and runs until December 1.
- Practicing freedom
Becoming increasingly aware of the importance of freedom, I try to practice it in my daily life – giving myself the freedom of choice, of speech, and of taking a stand on issues that matter to me. In a free country like Canada, where liberty is part of the social fabric, embracing this freedom feels essential. It’s a reminder not to take it for granted, but to live it fully, in every possible way.
- Sparrows
Sparrows bring me joy: their small size, their quick, darting movements, and their ability to gather courageously in the streets, despite their fragility. To me, they symbolize both resistance – braving the elements no matter the weather – and the power of the crowd, like in protests, especially when they all chirp together in unison. It’s a reminder of the strength found in unity, even among the smallest creatures.
- Simple acts of resistance
Since the start of the Woman, Life, Freedom movement (2022-present), I’ve become more interested in analyzing simple acts of resistance: gestures, words, and expressions that may seem small or insignificant, but have profound social and political impacts. For example, the image of Iranian women doing cartwheels in the streets of Iran as a form of defiance speaks to this power.
- Patterns and details
They remind me of my grandmother’s home: the floral wallpaper, the doilies on the table, her light summer dresses. I love moments where you have to slow down, really look, and appreciate the small details. It feels like time pauses.
- Cafés
I adore the smell of freshly baked bread, pastries, and the rich aroma of coffee. French-style cafés, where you can sit for hours with a friend, a latte, and a butter croissant have a timeless charm.