For artists who pursue academic accreditation, a Master of Fine Arts degree (MFA) is considered a terminal degree since the PhD has not yet established itself for studio art in Canadian universities. After celebrating the accomplishment of completing any degree, what comes next? In Just Graduated? Now What?, two recent MFA graduates reflect on the expectations versus realities of their experiences, and share how they’ve begun to find opportunity and community post-grad: Brody Burns graduated from the University of Saskatchewan and Mohammad Abbassi graduated from the University of Alberta. The two 25 minute presentations will be followed by a thirty-minute Q&A period, where we look forward to hearing your questions on this topic.
About the Webinar
Brody Burns will discuss his experiences as a self-employed, up-and-coming artist as well as some of the difficulties he has encountered. Artists have access to a variety of resources, including grants, artist-run facilities, online business tools and networking possibilities.
Mohammad Abbasi will discuss his experience as a recent immigrant to Canada and the difficulties of navigating through his own cultural narrative while simultaneously deciphering mysteries of a new environment. As a painter from Iran, Mohammad will describe the burden of self-censorship while dealing with the complex interplay of political and religious factors that formed his upbringing.
About the Presenters
Brody Burns recently received his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (2021) and Master of Fine Arts (2023) from the University of Saskatchewan. Brody belongs to the Treaty 6 Territory of the James Smith Cree Nation. He presently maintains a studio at AKA/Paved Arts and resides in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Brody is a painter first and foremost, with a focus on expressive figurative art infused with indigenous knowledge and spirituality, as well as abstract energy.
Mohammad Abbasi holds a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Alberta. He has been residing in this country for approximately three years. Through painting, Mohammad explores the evolving identity of the Middle East diaspora. His art practice is a conversation about transformation and landscape, pertaining both to the idea of Home and of Self. As an immigrant, his art seeks to navigate ‘The Third Space’ as experienced by diasporic populations, and negotiate what are the boundaries - what is ‘safe’?