Mina Keykhaei (Persian: مینا کیخایی) is a visual artist and researcher based in Toronto, Canada. Her practice uncovers hidden narratives within overlooked materials, breathing new life into discarded textiles and transforming them into rich archives of cultural memory. Through her work, she challenges conventional notions of value and possibility.

Drawing from her Iranian heritage, Keykhaei explores the subtle poetry of decay and transformation. Her work traces the beauty in weathered surfaces, faded threads, and forgotten patterns, finding dignity in what time has touched.

Keykhaei holds a Master of Arts in Fashion from Toronto Metropolitan University, where her work in sustainable art has received recognition. Her practice continues to push boundaries through both artistic creation and arts education, finding new ways to preserve and reimagine cultural stories through material exploration.

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EDUCATION

Master of Arts in Fashion, Toronto Metropolitan University, 2022-2024
Toronto, Canada

Bachelor degree in Business Management, Kavian University, 2008-2012
Mashhad, Iran

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITION

2025 Artist Project, Untapped Juried Competition (selected artist), Better Living Centre, Toronto, Canada

2025 Woven together: Fabrics of Belonging, Artspace Gallery, 401 Richmond St, Toronto, Canada

2024 Tree Installation, Mississauga Festival of Trees, Small Arms Inspection Building, Mississauga, Canada.

2024 Human Condition, Sahar K. Boluki Gallery, Toronto, Canada

2024 Fourth Annual Juried Show of Visual Arts, Art Gallery of Mississauga (AGM), Mississauga, Canada.

2024 Maximum Exposure 29, Beyond The Surface, Image Arts Gallery, Toronto, Canada

2017 100 Artists, 100 Artworks Group Exhibition, Golestan Gallery, Mashhad, Iran

2014 Photography Exhibition, Charchoub, Jahad Gallery, Mashhad, Iran

CURATORIAL EXPERIENCE

Curatorial Team Member, Breathe Exhibition, Textile Museum of Canada (2023)

Contributed to 'Rebellion, Rejection and Reconciliation' exhibition, Assembly Gallery, TMU (2024)

Jury Member, Enteza Student Photography Exhibition, Jahad Institution, Ferdowsi Gallery, Mashhad, Iran (2017)

Curatorial Team Member and Jury Member, Charchoub Exhibition, Jahad Gallery, Mashhad, Iran (2014)

GRANTS & AWARDS

Ontario Arts Council Exhibition Assistance Grant (2025)

Tree Installation Grant, Mississauga Festival of Trees, CreativeHub 1352 (2024)

Ontario Arts Council Project Grant (2024)

Value Village Sustainable Graduate Award (2024)
Recognizes outstanding contribution to research and creative work in sustainability.

School of Fashion Award in Sustainable Design, Toronto Metropolitan University (2024)
Awarded for excellence in sustainable design practices.

Ryerson Graduate Fellowship (RGF) (2022)
Recognizes academic excellence awarded to students on a competitive basis.

PUBLICATIONS, RESEARCH, AND PRESENTATIONS

Published in Fashion Studies Journal, Volume 5, Issue 2 (2025): "Textile Narratives: Waste as Cultural Archive." Available open access: https://www.fashionstudies.ca/textile-narratives

Conducted research on a Persian Theater Banner, contributing to the Textile Museum of Canada's collection and database

Presented a research poster titled 'Sustainable Art & Consumer Behavior Analysis' at the Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Sustainable Fashion Conference (2023)

Accepted presentation: Unravelling Fashion Narratives Symposium, NYC
From Decoration to Narration: The Evolution of Storytelling in Persian Textile Art(2024)

EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES

Arts Educator, Cedar Ridge Creative Centre, City of Toronto (2025-Present)

Co-led an exhibition design workshop at the Bata Shoe Museum as part of curation studies (2024)

Participated in Grad Teaching Development Program at TMU, enhancing educational skills (2023)

Co-developed curriculum and facilitated creative printing workshops for teenagers and young adults at Scotiabank Arena (2022)