Divya Mehra

Early Life and Education

Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Divya Mehra received her Master of Fine Arts degree from Columbia University in New York City. Her upbringing in Canada as a person of South Asian descent significantly informs her artistic perspective and critical engagement with cultural representation.

Artistic Practice

Mehra's work is characterized by its sharp wit, conceptual rigour, and direct confrontation of uncomfortable truths. She often employs irony and satire to unpack complex themes such as systemic racism, cultural appropriation, and the politics of belonging. Her installations frequently involve juxtaposing found objects, text-based interventions, and performative elements to create immersive and thought-provoking environments. A recurring thread in her art is the examination of how history is constructed and presented, particularly concerning marginalized voices and colonial legacies.

Notable Works and Exhibitions

Mehra has exhibited extensively across Canada and internationally. Her notable works and exhibitions include:

• You are so close to me, why aren’t you touching me? (2017), a powerful installation presented at the Plug In ICA, Winnipeg, which explored themes of intimacy, vulnerability, and racialized experience.
• Pouring water on a drowning man (2018), a solo exhibition at the Georgia Scherman Projects in Toronto.
• A VERY EXPENSIVE POEM (2020), a series of works often presented as neon signs or text-based installations that reflect on value, labour, and artistic production.
• Divided by the sum of its parts, a sum of its parts equals one (2022), a major public art project and exhibition at the Agnes Etherington Art Centre, Kingston, which featured a bronze statue responding to colonial monuments.
• Her work has been featured in group exhibitions at institutions such as the National Gallery of Canada, The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery, and the Museum of Contemporary Art Toronto.

Awards and Recognition

Mehra has received numerous awards and grants, acknowledging her significant contributions to contemporary art. These include:

• The Glenfiddich Artist in Residence Prize (Scotland, 2017).
• The Sobey Art Award (longlisted, 2017 and 2021).
• She has been a finalist for prestigious art prizes and has received support from the Canada Council for the Arts and the Manitoba Arts Council.

Collections

Divya Mehra's work is held in numerous public and private collections, including:

• The National Gallery of Canada (Ottawa)
• The Winnipeg Art Gallery (Winnipeg)
• The Musée d'art contemporain de Montréal (Montreal)
• The Art Gallery of Ontario (Toronto)
• The Agnes Etherington Art Centre (Kingston)
• The Robert McLaughlin Gallery (Oshawa)

References

• Various institutional websites (e.g., National Gallery of Canada, Sobey Art Award)
• Art historical and critical texts on contemporary Canadian art