Taslim Samji

Taslim is a change maker that utilizes arts and culture as a vehicle to educate communities on the strengths of embracing diversity and pluralism in all aspects of civic society. She is an artist, curator and community activist that sources out public spaces to present thought provoking presentations that link contemporary art to community and pluralism. Over the past 4 years she has singlehandedly organized and curated 8 art exhibitions and participated in 13 presentations, supporting various causes along the way including the Lionsgate Hospital’s Hope Centre in support of mental health issues and the British Columbia Schizophrenic Society.
In an age of heightened Individualism, Xenophobia and Islamophobia, Taslim’s work presents a unique perspective, with the intention of strengthening community at all levels. Over the past few years Taslim has convinced local galleries to allow her to mount exhibitions that seek to insert (and situate) Muslim artists within Vancouver’s wider arts community, thereby creating opportunities for collaborations, and shared experiences. Her 2016 exhibition at the Newton Cultural Centre in Surrey looked at the commonalities that exist between Canadian female Muslim artists and Canadian values. Her recent work with the City of Burnaby looks at Migration as a natural phenomenon and the unique stories of Canadian immigration, showcasing the work of a diverse group of emerging artists, including a sample of Muslim artists. She is always sourcing out new artists to join her work and rarely ever turns away anyone who has sought out her mentorship.
Taslim is an exceptional woman with an immense reservoir of energy and passion. She volunteered on the Arts & Culture Portfolio of the Ismaili Council for British Columbia for 5 years and held the post of Vice Chair for 2 years in 2013-2015. During that time, she worked tirelessly to give a voice to Ismaili Muslim artists and reinvigorated a vibrant culture of artistic expression that went dormant in the face of persecution, repeated uprooting, and mass migration across continents. She has put her entire being into empowering individual artists, especially the youth artists within the community through musical workshops and performing arts presentations showcasing South Asian and global Muslim cultures.
Taslim has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of British Columbia, attended Emily Carr University of Arts & Design and has received much press over the last few years for her work, including a few awards.
Marie Lopez, Programmer of the Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre summarizes it well, “Taslim has the rare ability to mix imaginative discovery, well-organized presentation and sensitivity to group and individual voices, with enthusiasm and respect. She is a tremendous asset to the Vancouver cultural community. “