The Mischievous Meadows of Mayhem, Samira Sukhatme, 2023, Acrylic, Pastels & Thread on Canvas.
Material Explorations of
Jamie Rosario, Hyewon Jang, Samira Sukhatme
We’re highlighting three award recipients from last summer whose distinct practices are inspired by nature and connected by a shared curiosity for material exploration.
Hyewon Jang’s wearable sculptures are bold and inventive. In some works, she mixes unexpected materials such as tofu, Korean lacquer, and copper. Definitely deserving of the Most Innovative Use of Material Award, supported by Lonsdale Gallery.
Jamie Rosario received the Best of Jewellery Award, supported by Harry Enchin & Susan Friedrich, for work that beautifully weaves together nature, craft, and material designed to sit close to the body.
Samira Sukhatme’s architectural landscape paintings earned her the inaugural National Emerging Artist Award, supported by Remarque Art Consulting. Hailing from BC, Samira travelled to Toronto through our Travel Bursary Program, bringing a vibrant West Coast vibe with her work.
Enjoy exploring their work and getting to know them a little more through this rapid fire newsletter. Also, a reminder that there are only a few weeks left to collect works by our 2025 artists on TOAF.ca. We love your continued support. Seeing these works find new homes warms our hearts. 🧡
Best of Jewellery Award
Jamie Rosario
Jamie on her practice
“At the forefront of my practice is the desire to merge with and disappear into a natural landscape through sensory and mindful connections – wearable jewellery serves as a mediator for the communion of mind, body, and nature. Through this work I seek to arouse wonder and curiosity by engaging with impermanence in nature. Manifested through shadows, rain, or the rustling of leaves in the wind, I intend to actualize the reveries of the natural world.”
Hear from Award Judge Susan Friedrich
“Jamie’s jewellery is a unique artistic expression. Using traditional precious materials, such as silver, with unexpected treatments, such as the use of textile components and techniques. Her statement pieces are innovative conceptual expressions celebrating the quality of hand craftsmanship, the relationship to nature/ earth and ultimately, the wearer.”
— Susan Friedrich, Architect and TOAF Award Donor
Most Innovative Use of Material Award
Hyewon Jang
Hyewon uses a floral pattern to create the lacy aesthetic in her designs, incorporating fresh water pearls as a soft contrast against the silver. The repeat motif of the casted flowers translates very gracefully and has a delicate feminine appeal. She exercises her love of colour and texture with a wide range of colourful stones in her designs. Her jewellery is made from sterling silver that are satin finished, sometimes texturized by roller printer, oxidized and combined with high karat yellow gold elements.
Hear from Judge Janna Hiemstra
“Stunning work with impeccable combinations of material and design. Each piece is a carefully considered balance of silver, steel, gemstones, pearls, and Korean lacquer. The colours + textures pop beautifully in each wearable sculpture.”
— Janna Hiemstra, Manager, Craft & Design at Harbourfront Centre
National Emerging Artist Award
Samira Sukhatme
Samira Sukhatme’s practice sits at the intersection of architecture, abstraction, and ecology. She builds her compositions through layered processes—acrylic washes, textured mediums, pastel marks, embroidery, and varnish—often accumulating 13–15 layers that reveal a dialogue between structure and spontaneity. Drawing from brutalist and mid-century architecture, she abstracts geometric forms into organic, light-filled landscapes that reference real encounters with nature, especially those shaped by her vegan lifestyle and love for wildlife.
& thread on canvas (with oak wood floating frame).
Hear from Judge Felicia Mings
“Landscape painting is a historic genre for which many are familiar and so innovative approaches that make it fresh and compelling are exciting to see. Sukhatme’s vibrant colour palette pulling from tropical geographies, mountains and lush landforms that draw upon the BC landscape and hard-edge lines and angular, almost architectural, forms drawn by paint and fluorescent yarn that leads a viewer’s eyes across each canvas makes for a stunning series of landscape works.”
— Felicia Mings, Curator, The Joan and Martin Goldfarb Gallery of York University
Fun Rapid-Fire with the award recipients
Get to know Jamie, Hyewon and Samira. From dream dinner guests and studio must-haves to creative rituals, late-night habits, and what’s in their cup…
If you could have dinner with any artist, who would it be? And what will you be serving?
“Frida Kahlo, serving vibrant vegan dishes inspired by Mexican flavours—colourful, bold, and full of life. While in Mexico City.“
— Samira
Must-have studio object?
“Magnifying glasses!”
— Hyewon
What do you do to move past a creative block?
“I take a break from making. I accept that I do not have to always be producing to be successful and that my ability to produce comes with ebbs and flows.”
— Jamie
Matcha, tea or Coffee?
“Decaf almond cortado made by my loving husband”
— Samira
Morning or midnight creator?
“Midnight”— Jamie
