Artist Statement
I am driven to make marks and combine materials. I come from many places geographically and delight in several aesthetic interests. Art connects me to the world. My practice as an artist and arts educator owes much to the inspirations I have gathered from travel, research, my passion for design, and contemporary art. As a child, I journeyed widely through India at a formative stage of my life soaking up artisanal traditions, ancient and modern. Other journeys to the Far and the Middle East, and sojourns in South Korea and Mexico, have led to rich encounters with folk-art and local artists. Now as a contemporary artist practising in Canada, I find myself at a fascinating set of cultural intersections which continue to feed my need to make, grow and explore
Pria Muzumdar
Pria Muzumdar
Pria’s life experiences have significantly contributed to her creative practice. As a child, she travelled widely through India encountering art and textile traditions both ancient and modern. Her research into artisanal textiles, folk and contemporary art continued with her many travels. She has lived in South Korea, Mexico and the UK. Her professional work in education was primarily art-based.
Pria trained at the National Institute of Design in India, She is an Associate of the Ontario College of Art. Her art is in private collections across Canada and abroad. For over 23 years, she has regularly exhibited her art in the Greater Toronto Area.
Arts-based Education Career
Pria is a well-known arts-based educator whose innovative programs introduced the use of visual design-based analogies to explore key concepts with early learners. Her lessons have triggered social justice discussions, explored environmental issues, and clarified math and science topics. She has taught and mentored with Toronto District School Board and at the Institute of Child Study (University of Toronto). She was Head teacher at an international school in Korea and has designed programs for schools in Oxford, England. Pria was a lead artist-mentor with the Inner City Angels for over 30 years. She continues to conduct arts-based workshops for young learners and adults.
Education
- MA. Child Study: University of Toronto, 1999
- MEd. Curriculum and Philosophy, Ontario: Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto, 1993
- Associate of the Ontario College of Art: 1985
- Trained at the National Institute of Design India for 3 years: 1973-1976
- BA.Hons in English literature, University of New Delhi: 1972
Exhibition History
Pria has regularly exhibited her art for over 23 years in the Greater Toronto Area. Her art is in private collections across Canada and abroad.
Propeller Gallery Art Gallery, Toronto (2016-present)
Pria joined the Propeller Gallery in 2016 and has exhibited there since then in solo, group, and curated exhibitions.
Select List of Exhibitions
Propeller Art Gallery, Toronto
- Fibre & Fragment, Solo Show, October 2024
- Along The Way, Solo Show, November 2022
- Unfurled, Group Show, February 2021
- The Promise of Sheikishu Washi, Curated show, October 2019
- Of Place and Patina, Solo show, October 2019
- Emergence 4 Ways, Group Show, October 2018
- Cited, Curated Show, May 2018
- From Memory to Mark, Group Show, April 2017
- Take 4: Group Show, February 2016
Bloor West Artist Collective, Toronto (2016-2018)
These were annual summer solo exhibition studio tours and showings.
The Artists Of The Boulevard, Toronto (2000-2015)
These were large annual and biannual shows with The Artists of the Boulevard. Each featured a small group of selected artists.