Mohammad Hossein Abbasi, a visual artist born in Tehran, Iran, holds an MFA from the University of Alberta and is based in Edmonton, on Treaty 6 territory. His work explores themes of transformation and landscape, with a particular focus on the interconnected concepts of Home and Self. As an immigrant, his practice investigates ‘The Third Space’ inhabited by diasporic communities, examining the nuanced boundaries of what is perceived as "safe."
His art practice is an endless journey, delving into the interplay between chosen subjects and the limitless possibilities offered by painting, a medium rich in historical significance. He prioritizes breaking free from conventional techniques, allowing spontaneity and unforeseen events to shape the semiotic and aesthetic essence of his artwork.
Mohammad selects simple objects or images, such as home, boats, or cubic shapes, as starting points. These objects serve as foundational paths for unleashing a series of changes, deconstructions, and reconstructions within the image. He consistently blends the semiotic and aesthetic meanings of form in a serendipitous manner, aiming to achieve a delicate balance between subject and content. For him, the art creation process holds as much importance as the final product, as both offer new insights into the "image."
His art practice is an endless journey, delving into the interplay between chosen subjects and the limitless possibilities offered by painting, a medium rich in historical significance. He prioritizes breaking free from conventional techniques, allowing spontaneity and unforeseen events to shape the semiotic and aesthetic essence of his artwork.
Mohammad selects simple objects or images, such as home, boats, or cubic shapes, as starting points. These objects serve as foundational paths for unleashing a series of changes, deconstructions, and reconstructions within the image. He consistently blends the semiotic and aesthetic meanings of form in a serendipitous manner, aiming to achieve a delicate balance between subject and content. For him, the art creation process holds as much importance as the final product, as both offer new insights into the "image."
CV Summary:
Education
- MFA, University of Alberta, Canada | 2021–2023
- MA in Painting, Tehran Azad University, Iran | 2011–2013
- BSc in Surveying Engineering, Zanjan University, Iran | 2006–2011
Awards & Honors
- Edmonton Art Council, Individual Grant, 2024
- Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation Scholarship, 2021 & 2024
- Alberta Foundation for the Arts Graduate Scholarship, 2022
- Harriet Snowball Winspear Graduate Scholarship, Faculty of Arts, University of Alberta, 2021
- University of Alberta Graduate Recruitment Scholarship, 2021
- Selected Painter of the New Generation of Iran, Homa Art Gallery, Tehran, Iran, 2018
Solo Exhibitions
- The Wave, Herringer Kiss Gallery, Calgary, Canada, 2027 (Upcoming)
- The Home, Art Gallery of St. Albert, St. Albert, Canada, 2025
- The Third Space, Herringer Kiss Gallery, Calgary, Canada, 2024
- The Home, FAB Gallery, University of Alberta, Edmonton, 2023
- The Boat, Homa Art Gallery, Tehran, Iran, 2019
- Where Is the Moment?, Homa Art Gallery, Tehran, Iran, 2018
Group Exhibitions
- Midsummer Reception, Herringer Kiss Gallery, Calgary, 2025, AB
- What We Leave, What We Take, Art Gallery of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, March 7 – August 24, 2025
Midsummer Reception, Herringer Kiss Gallery, Calgary, AB, 2024 – Featured Artists: Angela Lane, Richard Clements, Rhys Douglas Farrell, Harry Kiyooka, Katie Ohe, Mitch Kern, Laurel Johannesson, Brian Flynn, Howard Lonn, Tia Halliday, Aron Hill, Velma Foster
- Lumen, O Gallery, Tehran, Iran, 2023
- Land As Muse: Contemporary Art Concepts From Edmonton, Harcourt House Artist Run Centre, Edmonton, 2022
- The Thin Wall, FAB Gallery, University of Alberta, Edmonton, 2022
- Rally, Soo Contemporary, Tehran, Iran, 2020
- Spiting Plato Re Architecture, Inja-Gallery, Tehran, Iran, 2020
- Homa Art Gallery Summer Collection, Homa Art Gallery, Tehran, Iran, 2018
- Selection of New Generation Painters, Homa Art Gallery, Tehran, Iran, 2018
- Mental Spaces, Maan Art Gallery, Tehran, Iran, 2012
- Group Exhibition, Amir Khani Art Gallery, Iran, 2012
Press / Media
- Art Gallery of St. Albert Highlights the Immigrant Experience, St. Albert Gazette, 2025
https://www.stalbertgazette.com/local-arts-and-culture/art-gallery-of-st-albert-highlights-the-immigrant-experience-11600406
- There’s Art Installation at Art Gallery St. Albert, CBC Radio Active, 2025
https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-52-radio-active/clip/16187238-theres-art-installation-art-gallery-st.-albert
- The Third Space, Galleries West, 2024–2025
https://www.gallerieswest.ca/events/mohammad-abbasi-%7C-the-third-space/
Education
- MFA, University of Alberta, Canada | 2021–2023
- MA in Painting, Tehran Azad University, Iran | 2011–2013
- BSc in Surveying Engineering, Zanjan University, Iran | 2006–2011
Awards & Honors
- Edmonton Art Council, Individual Grant, 2024
- Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation Scholarship, 2021 & 2024
- Alberta Foundation for the Arts Graduate Scholarship, 2022
- Harriet Snowball Winspear Graduate Scholarship, Faculty of Arts, University of Alberta, 2021
- University of Alberta Graduate Recruitment Scholarship, 2021
- Selected Painter of the New Generation of Iran, Homa Art Gallery, Tehran, Iran, 2018
Solo Exhibitions
- The Wave, Herringer Kiss Gallery, Calgary, Canada, 2027 (Upcoming)
- The Home, Art Gallery of St. Albert, St. Albert, Canada, 2025
- The Third Space, Herringer Kiss Gallery, Calgary, Canada, 2024
- The Home, FAB Gallery, University of Alberta, Edmonton, 2023
- The Boat, Homa Art Gallery, Tehran, Iran, 2019
- Where Is the Moment?, Homa Art Gallery, Tehran, Iran, 2018
Group Exhibitions
- Midsummer Reception, Herringer Kiss Gallery, Calgary, 2025, AB
- What We Leave, What We Take, Art Gallery of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, March 7 – August 24, 2025
Midsummer Reception, Herringer Kiss Gallery, Calgary, AB, 2024 – Featured Artists: Angela Lane, Richard Clements, Rhys Douglas Farrell, Harry Kiyooka, Katie Ohe, Mitch Kern, Laurel Johannesson, Brian Flynn, Howard Lonn, Tia Halliday, Aron Hill, Velma Foster
- Lumen, O Gallery, Tehran, Iran, 2023
- Land As Muse: Contemporary Art Concepts From Edmonton, Harcourt House Artist Run Centre, Edmonton, 2022
- The Thin Wall, FAB Gallery, University of Alberta, Edmonton, 2022
- Rally, Soo Contemporary, Tehran, Iran, 2020
- Spiting Plato Re Architecture, Inja-Gallery, Tehran, Iran, 2020
- Homa Art Gallery Summer Collection, Homa Art Gallery, Tehran, Iran, 2018
- Selection of New Generation Painters, Homa Art Gallery, Tehran, Iran, 2018
- Mental Spaces, Maan Art Gallery, Tehran, Iran, 2012
- Group Exhibition, Amir Khani Art Gallery, Iran, 2012
Press / Media
- Art Gallery of St. Albert Highlights the Immigrant Experience, St. Albert Gazette, 2025
https://www.stalbertgazette.com/local-arts-and-culture/art-gallery-of-st-albert-highlights-the-immigrant-experience-11600406
- There’s Art Installation at Art Gallery St. Albert, CBC Radio Active, 2025
https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-52-radio-active/clip/16187238-theres-art-installation-art-gallery-st.-albert
- The Third Space, Galleries West, 2024–2025
https://www.gallerieswest.ca/events/mohammad-abbasi-%7C-the-third-space/