Opening Reception: Threads of Refuge

Join us to celebrate the opening of the exhibition Threads of Refuge in the Instructional Centre Vitrines at U of T Scarborough. Featuring intimate portraits of refugees Shamso Elmi, Sahra Gelle, Mariam Manai, and Ezat Mossallanejad, by photographer Anthony Gebrehiwot, this lunchtime reception offers the opportunity to view the exhibition and listen to the connected stories. Co-curators Thy Phu and Saaz Taher will introduce the project, Anthony Gebrehiwot will deliver a talk about his work and process, and several of the portrait participants will speak about their experience. Remarks and talks will begin at 12:15 pm, followed by a catered lunch.

This program is free and open to the public. Space limited, registration required. Registration closes June 2, 2025.

If you have accommodation needs, please let us know through the registration form or by contacting dmg.utsc@utoronto.ca. Seating will be available. This program will take place in the atrium of the Instructional Centre at U of T Scarborough; the building is wheelchair accessible.

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SCHEDULE

11:45: Arrivals and exhibition viewing

12:15 pm: Introductory remarks by co-curators Thy Phu and Saaz Taher; Alison Mountz, Interim Vice-Principal, Research & Innovation at U of T Scarborough; and Ann MacDonald, Executive Director/Chief Curator, Doris McCarthy Gallery

12:30 pm: Artist’s talk by Anthony Gebrehiwot

12:45 pm: Guided discussion with portrait participants

1 pm: Lunch

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ABOUT THE EXHIBITION

On view in the Instructional Centre Vitrines at U of T Scarborough, Threads of Refuge (June 11 – December 6, 2025) explores the impacts and transformations resulting from forced displacement. The featured portraits unveils the layered complexity of refugee experiences, where the anguish of displacement coexists with unwavering spiritual faith, aspiration for reinvention, and the hope of preserving ties to community. Curated by Thy Phu and Saaz Taher, the exhibition is presented by the Doris McCarthy Gallery in partnership with Agir Montreal, Midaynta Community Services, and University of Montreal. Generously supported by the Toronto Arts Council, Canada Council for the Arts, and Social Sciencies and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC).

Threads of Refuge is one of the outcomes of Refugee States, a SSHRC-funded research-creation project that preserves oral histories and creates digital stories. By centering the voices and perspectives of refugees and migrants, the project challenges dominant narratives about forced migration in antiracist and queer- and trans-affirming ways. Since 2022, in collaboration with peer researchers, community partners, and artists across Toronto and Montreal, the project has supported the creation of a living archive of oral histories, digital stories, and creative interventions by and for refugee communities. Refugee States is co-directed by Edward Ou Jin Lee (Canada Research Chair and Associate Professor in the School of Social Work at Universite de Montreal) and Thy Phu (Distinguished Professor of Race, Diaspora, and Visual Justice at the University of Toronto Scarborough).