Chiedza Pasipanodya (chee-ed-za pasi-pano-jga) is an artist, curator, and writer. Their research-based practice emerges from southern African ways of being, knowing, and aesthetics and is informed by African pottery. They are committed to elevating narratives which might otherwise be forgotten or misremembered, especially the cultural productions of people of African descent. Their thesis search “New Perspectives on Black Women Artists In Canada Participating in the Arts For The Long Term” provides new insights into the issues of representation for marginalized artists in Canada. Through exhibition-making, sculpture, conversation, collaboration, and writing, they have developed a multi-disciplinary Afro-diasporic practice that considers how and if connection, repair, and retrieval are possible through the making of objects and transmutation of materials. Chiedza uses clay as a tool for translation, recording, and remembering.
Chiedza completed a BFA (Hons) in Criticism and Curatorial Practices at OCAD University in 2019. They have exhibited at the Gardiner Museum, Artspeak Gallery, The Art Gallery of Burlington, Nia Centre for the Arts, Xpace Cultural Centre, Gallery Two Seven Two, Forum Gallery, and Whippersnapper Gallery and curated exhibitions with The Art Gallery of Peterborough, Aspace Gallery, BAND Gallery, The Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre and Nuit Blanche. They were a Toronto Biennial of Art Curatorial Fellow (2022), Creative Time Summit (2017) presenter and have sat on committees with the Royal Ontario Museum, Nia Centre for the Arts, The Canada Council for the Arts, and the inaugural Black Curators Forum (2019). They live and work in Bloomfield Hills, US, Harare, ZW, and Toronto, CA. Chiedza is an MFA candidate in the Sculpture department at Cranbrook Academy of Art, Class of 2025.
Select Clients
The Powerplant, Royal Ontario Museum, Art Gallery of Ontario, NIA Centre for the Arts, BAND Gallery, Xpace Cultural Centre, OCAD University, University of Toronto, York University, Toronto Metropolitan University - FCAD, Feminist Art Conference, Pride Toronto, Manifesto Community Projects, Nuit Blanche, Ontario Trillium Foundation
Skills Profile
Methodological approaches: African-centred, art historical, critical theory, embodied, relational and results-based
Areas of expertise: Creative consulting, convening, listening, facilitation, teamwork, strategizing, research, resiliency, visioning
Certificates and Awards
Galeries Ontario / Ontario Galleries (GOG) First Exhibition in a Public Gallery, 2023
Canada Council for the Arts, Grant Recipient, 2022
Ontario Arts Council, Grant Recipient, 2022
Toronto Arts Council, Grant Recipient, 2021
Ownr Career Launcher, OCAD University & RBC, 2021
Art Works, Criticism and Curatorial Studies Award, 2019
Global Experience Project Residency, OCAD University, 2018
Top 10 Exhibitions, DesignTO Festival, 2018