|
Opola Karim is a Toronto-based artist and educator whose mixed-media practice incorporates painting, craft, and intricate embellishments. Her work explores the intersection of her Bangladeshi-Canadian roots, abstract storytelling, and personalgrowth. Through her art, she aims to bring raang (color), unity, mental well-being, self-healing, social change, and beauty into the world. Working across both fine art and craft, Opola is best known for her self-portraitmandalas, which reflect each client's story and personality through color, form, andpattern. These deeply personal works are created to inspire hope, self-love, vibrancy, and healing. As her practice evolves, she is expanding into larger-scale public art, including murals, bringing her vision of connection and transformation into shared spaces. |
EDUCATION
B.Ed. 2018 in Education, York University
B.F.A 2015 in Drawing & Painting, OCAD University
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2019 Dear Coloured Girl. Feminism & Femininity Showcase and Gallery. Toronto, Ontario, Canada
2016 Studio 217's Pop Up Art Show. Group Exhibition curated by Studio 217's group. Toronto, Ontario, Canada
2015 Omit Limitation, Virtue Exhibition. An all female creative exhibit. Curators, Brianna Roye and Monique Jhanielle. Toronto, Ontario, Canada
2015 Black Cat Artspace, The Salon of the Inclusiveness II. Group Exhibition curated by Black Cat. Toronto, Ontario, Canada
PUBLICATIONS | MEDIA | MURALS
STEPS Public Art and FLAP Canada 2022. Toronto, Ontario. Downsview Park Station and Finch West Station
Commissioned Mural for Jazeera Smoothie Cafe Inc. 2021. North York, Ontario.
stART Concrete Barrier 2021. Richmond St. Toronto, Ontario. "Fire" Concrete Barriers. July 2021
stART Outside the Box 2021. Jane St. & Wright Ave. Utility Box. Toronto, Ontario. July 2021
Kitchen24. Mural. North York, Ontario. May 2021
stART Concrete Barrier 2020. Scarlett Rd. Toronto, Ontario. "Fossils" Concrete Barriers. September 2020
stART Outside the Box 2020. Finch Ave West & Duncanwoods Drive. Utility Box. Toronto, Ontario. July 2020
Paint the City Black. Graffiti Alley Way. Mural, No Justice No Peace. Toronto, Ontario. June 2020
Karim, Opola. "Young Artist's Exhibit in Gallery Show." Brampton Guardian. Brampton Guardian and Beaux Art Brampton, Feb 5th, 2015. Online article. April 7th, 2019.
Urban Arts Toronto & Artist Mahmood Popal, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Mural, Weston GO Station, 2015
AWARDS | GRANTS
TOArtist COVID Response Fund. Toronto Arts Council. April, 2020
Indie Studio Program Resident, Artscape SKETCH, April to June, 2016
M.C. O'Brien Scholarship for Art, 2011
B.Ed. 2018 in Education, York University
B.F.A 2015 in Drawing & Painting, OCAD University
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2019 Dear Coloured Girl. Feminism & Femininity Showcase and Gallery. Toronto, Ontario, Canada
2016 Studio 217's Pop Up Art Show. Group Exhibition curated by Studio 217's group. Toronto, Ontario, Canada
2015 Omit Limitation, Virtue Exhibition. An all female creative exhibit. Curators, Brianna Roye and Monique Jhanielle. Toronto, Ontario, Canada
2015 Black Cat Artspace, The Salon of the Inclusiveness II. Group Exhibition curated by Black Cat. Toronto, Ontario, Canada
PUBLICATIONS | MEDIA | MURALS
STEPS Public Art and FLAP Canada 2022. Toronto, Ontario. Downsview Park Station and Finch West Station
Commissioned Mural for Jazeera Smoothie Cafe Inc. 2021. North York, Ontario.
stART Concrete Barrier 2021. Richmond St. Toronto, Ontario. "Fire" Concrete Barriers. July 2021
stART Outside the Box 2021. Jane St. & Wright Ave. Utility Box. Toronto, Ontario. July 2021
Kitchen24. Mural. North York, Ontario. May 2021
stART Concrete Barrier 2020. Scarlett Rd. Toronto, Ontario. "Fossils" Concrete Barriers. September 2020
stART Outside the Box 2020. Finch Ave West & Duncanwoods Drive. Utility Box. Toronto, Ontario. July 2020
Paint the City Black. Graffiti Alley Way. Mural, No Justice No Peace. Toronto, Ontario. June 2020
Karim, Opola. "Young Artist's Exhibit in Gallery Show." Brampton Guardian. Brampton Guardian and Beaux Art Brampton, Feb 5th, 2015. Online article. April 7th, 2019.
Urban Arts Toronto & Artist Mahmood Popal, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Mural, Weston GO Station, 2015
AWARDS | GRANTS
TOArtist COVID Response Fund. Toronto Arts Council. April, 2020
Indie Studio Program Resident, Artscape SKETCH, April to June, 2016
M.C. O'Brien Scholarship for Art, 2011
