Shammah Salwa (b. 1995) is a Bangladeshi-Canadian multidisciplinary artist; photographer and writer, based in Tkaronto (Toronto, Ontario). Combining documentary modes with surrealist techniques, her work engages with various environmental justice topics, with a special research focus on food in/security and food waste, and asks broader questions of how the personal or private is connected to larger systems.
Salwa studied Environment/Diaspora Studies at the University of Toronto and Photography at Toronto Metropolitan University. She is also developing a workshop with the support of Access Alliance revolving around at-home vermicomposting methods to repurpose food waste. Salwa recently participated in a group exhibition as a part of DesignTO Festival 2023.
CV
Education
Toronto Metropolitan University - The Chang School of Continuing
Education / Certificate in Photography Studies Program
2022
University of Toronto BA Arts & Science
Critical Studies in Equity and Solidarity, Environmental Studies, Diaspora & Transnational Studies
2023
Programs
2022, Creative Climate Leadership scholarship recipient and mentee. Centre for Sustainable Practice in the Arts (CSPA). About CCL Canada
2021 Mentee, Photo Story Scarborough (PS Scarborough), Next Generation Arts, Toronto, ON
2021 Mentee, iAM DSLR Photography Program, JAYU Level 1 Graduate, Toronto, ON
2021 Mentee, Film & Filmmakers Virtual Camp, Teach Democracy Now!, NYC, New York
2021 Mentee, Cyanotype Outreach Program, Gallery44 ,Toronto, ON
2021 Mentee, 'Ideas from I' Concept Development, Ecru Club, Toronto, ON
Artist Residency
DesignTO Festival Youth: ‘Blueprint’/ Resident Photographer
2022 - 2023, Toronto, ON
The Centre for Sustainable Practice in the Arts - Creative Climate Leadership Canada Training and Mentorship/ Resident Photographer
2022, Kananaski, AB - Traditional territory of the Stoney Nakoda
Publications
2021 Contributor, P.S. Scarborough Photo Book, Next Generation Arts, Toronto, ON
Exhibitions
Guerilla Gardening [Digital Photography], DesignTO Festival Youth: ‘Blueprint’, Namara Project Space, Toronto, ON.
January 20 – February 11, 2023. Link
'Bloom' [Cyanotype], Gallery 44 Centre for Contemporary Photography, Production Gallery, Toronto, ON.
October 29, 2021 - February 11, 2021, Link