Dear Friend of TOAF,
Spring is here, and we’re feeling the vibe.
Today, let us introduce you to two lens-based artists and first-time participants at TOAF whose diverse journeys and studies enrich their creative work in exciting ways.
Sherif Hosni is the recipient of Best of Photography & Digital Media, supported by the generous Friends of Toronto Outdoor Art Fair. Sherif is a skilled street photographer who turns ordinary moments of his travels and surroundings into captivating visual stories.
Mona Raissi documents sites of significance, weaving and layering their past and present into rich visual narratives. Mona received the Honourable Mention Photography & Digital Media supported by Toronto Image Works.
Enjoy exploring their works. We have also put together a Curated Collection to celebrate Spring’s arrival and give one final nod to last year’s talented roster of artists on TOAF.ca.
We’ve just wrapped up the jury process, and we’re jazzed about the fresh new roster for this year’s show. Stay tuned — TOAF64 is just around the corner. July 11-13, 2025!
Talk soon,
anahita & TOAF Team
Sherif Hosni
Sherif Hosni is an Egyptian-Canadian pharmacist and freelance photographer based in Toronto since 2018. Originally from a small town in Egypt, he developed a passion for photography in 2010, inspired by works on Flickr and Tumblr. Specializing in street and travel photography, Sherif also explores macro photography and enjoys experimenting with new styles.
Hear from the Judge
“In the heat of this fraught summer, Sherif Hosni’s photographs poetically illustrate the quiet moments of both solitude and connection that provide necessary respite in the face of ongoing environmental and political turmoil. In moving back and forth between silhouette and shadow, Hosni’s images suggest both menace and softness in turn, capturing the tension at the heart of our present reality.”
— Michèle Pearson Clarke, Artist & Assistant Professor in Photography in the School of Image Arts
What have you been watching lately?
I was lucky to see 11 movies at TIFF this year! My favourite one is “To a Land Unknown,” which tells how some refugees survive their lives in Greece. I was also blown away by the cinematography of the short film “Who Loves the Sun.”
Mona Raissi
Mona Raissi is a multimedia artist with a master’s degree in industrial design and a diverse background in photography, painting, interior design, fashion, and gallery management. She uses photography, photo collages, and mixed media on canvas to express her thoughts and dreams. Fascinated by old and historical places, Mona’s creative process often begins with visiting these sites, capturing their essence through photography, and researching their history. These explorations form the foundation of her projects, allowing her to weave stories of the past into her contemporary art.
Hear from the Judge
“Museums enrich our lives by helping us to understand our pasts, and with this series, Mona Raissi has compellingly turned her lens onto the histories of these buildings themselves. In Raissi’s photos, institutional narratives and domestic intimacies sit side by side, enhanced by her use of colour and texture. In this way her work invites us to consider what is worthy of preservation and display.”
— Michèle Pearson Clarke, Artist & Assistant Professor in Photography in the School of Image Arts
What’s next for you?
Right now, I’m working on a collection called Uncertain Positions, which focuses on women in society. I hope it resonates with my audience.
Curated Collection
Spring Flowers, Please
April 16, 2025, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
In-person – Unit 262, 401 Richmond Street West
How do you find the right balance between scarcity and accessibility when it comes to prints and reproductions of your art? How can you maintain the value of your work without saturating the market or diluting its impact? How many is too many?
As an original art-only fair, TOAF often receives questions about our reproduction policy, edition sizes, and the use of multiples. To generate this valuable conversation, we’ve invited seasoned artists and professionals to share their insights on best practices, including edition limits, types of acceptable reproductions, and more.
