Narmin Kassam
Narmin Kassam is a Canadian mixed-media artist whose work explores themes of women’s empowerment, cultural identity, and resilience. Drawing from her experiences as an African-born woman and former refugee, Kassam creates layered, textured portraits that celebrate feminine strength and solidarity. Her distinctive technique—blending decorative papers from around the world with paint on wood panels—reflects the complex, multifaceted nature of women’s lives and histories. Her “Beautiful Voice” series includes mixed-media collage paintings, an immersive installation, and a short film, all honoring the stories and presence of women through vibrant textures, impressionistic forms, and traditional African motifs. For Kassam, the creative process is both meditative and healing—a way to amplify voices often unheard and to inspire greater inclusion and equality. Kassam’s work has been widely exhibited across Canada and internationally, with recent shows at the Surrey Art Gallery, Roundhouse Centre in Vancouver, and the O’Hanlon Center for the Arts in Chicago. Her upcoming solo and group exhibitions with Women United Art Movement and Women in Arts Network continue to expand her impact. She has also been featured in numerous publications including Art Seen Magazine, New Visionary, Arts to Hearts Project, and Visual Art Journal, and was longlisted for the 2024 Women United Art Prize.
Mixed Media 30"x 24" 2024
Mixed Media 30"x 24" 2024
Mixed Media 24" x 36" 2024
Mixed Media 24" x 36" 2024
Narmin Kassam: Layers of Light, Memory, and Resilience
In the quiet sanctuary of her studio, surrounded by vibrant papers from Japan, India, and Africa, Canadian artist Narmin Kassam creates works that pulse with life, color, and meaning. Each stroke of paint, each delicate piece of patterned paper woven into her mixed-media compositions, is part of an ongoing conversation—an exploration of memory, identity, and resilience.
A Path Back to Herself
For Kassam, art was not simply a career choice—it was a lifeline.
“Art became a path back to myself,” she shares. “After periods of deep exhaustion and the emotional impact of displacement, painting offered a way to reconnect with memory, with breath, and with possibility.” Her journey into art began as a deeply personal act of healing. Working with her hands, layering paint, paper, and texture, provided clarity and renewal. What started as personal therapy soon evolved into something larger—a way to explore and share collective stories of women, migration, identity, and strength. Today, even as a part-time artist navigating chronic pain, Kassam finds solace and purpose in creating daily, no matter how brief the session. Her studio remains her sanctuary—a space where art becomes a quiet act of healing, resilience, and hope.
Art in Rhythm with the Body
Kassam’s creative journey has not been without profound challenges. Chronic pain and mobility limitations have shaped every facet of her artistic practice. “Every part of my creative process has had to evolve,” she says. “I’ve learned to work in rhythm with what my body allows—to create in shorter, more focused intervals and give myself room to breathe.” Rather than stifling her creativity, these constraints have led Kassam to a deeper connection with her work. The physical pace of her practice has become more intentional, allowing her to pay exquisite attention to the textures, gestures, and movements that define her layered pieces. This adaptation mirrors the quiet resilience embedded in the themes she explores.
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A Leap into the Unknown
Among Kassam’s proudest moments is her installation Reflection, which was selected as a national finalist for the 2023 Illume National Visual Arts Festival. The installation featured translucent sheers painted with ink and acrylic, suspended and gently swaying around a circle of mirrors bathed in diffused light. Accompanied by narration and an original musical score, Reflection invited viewers to step into a world of shifting perspectives, where the untold stories of diverse women were both seen and felt. The piece allowed the audience to explore their own reflections through the lens of these women’s experiences. “Creating that immersive environment affirmed that the work was reaching people in meaningful ways,” Kassam reflects. “It offered a space where presence and identity could be reflected with dignity.” Venturing into installation art was a leap into the unknown for Kassam, who primarily works with mixed-media collages on wood panels. “I discovered that vulnerability is not a weakness,” she says. “It’s a powerful tool for connecting with others and expanding my creative horizons.”
Evolution of Style and Vision
Kassam’s style has transformed profoundly over the years. Early influences from the Impressionists—particularly Monet—instilled in her a love for vibrant color, atmosphere, and loose brushwork. As she grew as an artist, she found herself drawn to the tactile qualities of paper, discovering colors, textures, and light as symbols of her deeper self. “My current work brings together feminine forms, vibrant colors, and symbolic gestures,” she explains. “Women often appear leaning toward each other or in community, textured and woven together with paint and decorative paper. These visual choices express healing, interconnectedness, and the power found in shared strength.”
Burnout and Lessons in Sustainability
Experiencing burnout was a pivotal turning point for Kassam. It forced her to stop completely and re-examine how she was living and creating. “That period taught me the importance of boundaries, energy, and rest,” she shares. “Sustainability in art is not about endurance but about alignment. Honoring the body, the spirit, and the integrity of the work became essential.”
This wisdom echoes in her gentle advice to fellow artists:
“Begin where you are. The process of making will lead you forward. Let your materials teach you. Protect your space and trust that your story is enough. Your lived experience is art.”
Inspiration from Women and Material
The women in Kassam’s life are a profound source of inspiration. From her mother and sisters to her friends and community, she finds endless strength and grace in their stories. These influences are woven—quite literally—into her art. “Like the women in my paintings, the paper I use is known for its vibrancy, strength, and resiliency,” Kassam explains. “Running my fingers across those textures connects me deeply to their unique qualities. This tactile engagement helps me envision figures and compositions.” She meticulously curates colors and patterns, designing dresses and styles based on how light will dance across the paper, enhancing the figures’ presence. Her process transforms decorative papers into symbols of cultural memory, identity, and beauty.
Defining Success on Her Own Terms
For Kassam, the definition of artistic success has evolved. Earlier in her career, it was linked to visibility and recognition. Now, it lies in the quiet alignment between values and creative expression. “Success lives in the alignment between my values and my creative expression,” she says. “It shows up when a piece feels whole, when it carries truth, care, and presence. If my work continues to grow and brings beauty, depth, and connection into the world—and if I can create in ways that support my well-being—then I know I am living my purpose as an artist.”
In every layered collage and immersive installation, Narmin Kassam offers viewers more than visual beauty. She invites them into a space of reflection, resilience, and hope—a luminous testament to the power of art as both a deeply personal and universal language.