‘Landing/Becoming’ is a 2-day-long mixed media exhibition at MOSAIC’s Boundary office exploring the intersections of immigration and queerness through art, writing, film, and performance. Created by queer newcomers and immigrants and curated by the Centre for Diversity, the exhibit centers experiences of identity, belonging, and meaning-making – asking what it means to build a home in a new place, and within yourself.
Date: July 22 – July 23, 2026
Time: 10:00 am – 3:30 pm
Location: Community Room, MOSAIC – 5575 Boundary Road, Vancouver, British Columbia
No registration is needed for this event, feel free to walk in and enjoy the exhibition!
Country of origin
Iran
Medium of choice
Acrylic paints
Arefeh Norouzi is a self-taught artist whose practice is shaped by an intuitive dialogue with the canvas, where gravity and chemistry replace the traditional brushstroke, transforming painting into a unique form of visual alchemy. In her practice, she invites the paint to flow on canvas, creating portal to ethereal realms where microscopic patterns of nature echo the vastness of the cosmos. Having exhibited internationally, Norouzi speaks a universal language of rhythm and light, finding harmony in shared patterns and reflecting the beauty discovered in surrender through contemporary abstraction.
Country of origin
Colombia
Medium of choice
Acrylic paints
Juan Felipe Rivas is a Colombian artist, psychologist, and lawyer currently living in Vancouver, Canada. After being forced to leave Colombia because of violence, he found in painting a meaningful way to process loss, rebuild hope, and reconnect with himself. His work explores resilience, memory, migration, and the emotional landscapes shaped by displacement. Through color, texture, and symbolism, Juan Felipe transforms personal experiences into visual narratives that invite reflection, healing, and human connection. For him, art is more than creative expression—it is a path toward renewal and a bridge between cultures. His paintings reflect both the challenges and the strength that emerge from beginning again in a new country.
Country of origin
Mexico
Medium of choice
Photography
Born in Mexico in 1970, Antonio is a Mexican Indigenous artist whose photography explores identity, migration, and belonging. After spending more than a decade as a teacher, he arrived in Canada over seven years ago as an LGBTQ+ refugee, beginning a new chapter of his life. Photography became a way to document his journey, capturing moments of resilience, cultural connection, and everyday beauty. His images reflect the experience of rebuilding a sense of home while honoring his Indigenous heritage and lived experiences. Through his work, he invites viewers to reflect on identity, hope, and the transformative power of community.
Country of origin
Syria
Medium of choice
Makeup
Ray Hassoun is a makeup artist whose work focuses on enhancing identity and self-expression through beauty. While living in Erbil, Iraq, he worked primarily with individuals from the LGBTQ+ community, offering makeup services that helped them express themselves in a safe and affirming way. For many of his clients, makeup was not only about appearance, but also about confidence, dignity, and feeling seen in a society where they often felt invisible or unsafe. Through his practice, he learned that makeup can be a powerful form of communication and resistance. Each face he worked on carried a personal story of identity, resilience, and belonging. His work became a space of trust where people could freely express who they are without judgment. In this exhibition, he presents the idea that beauty is deeply connected to identity and belonging. His experience working in this context has shaped his understanding of queerness and migration as shared human experiences of searching for safety, acceptance, and self-expression. This work reflects not only his technical skills as an artist, but also his commitment to creating spaces where identity can exist openly and with pride.
Ray has generously offered to host 30-minute, free, live makeup sessions across both days of the exhibition! If you’re interested in getting your makeup done by Ray, please sign up for a slot HERE
Country of origin
Mexico
Medium of choice
Fabric/ Textiles
Gilberto is a Mexican fashion artist and designer whose passion for couture began at the age of four. Using whatever materials he could find—from socks and fabric scraps to other everyday objects—he created garments for dolls, discovering his love for design at an early age. During elementary school, he learned cross-stitch embroidery and participated in sewing and dressmaking courses offered by community organizations, further developing his creative skills.
In 1995, Gilberto took his first professional step by studying Haute Couture, earning his first diploma and beginning his career designing and selling custom gowns. He later completed a Fashion Design Technician program in 2002, expanding his expertise in garment construction and design.
Throughout his career, Gilberto has specialized in elegant evening gowns, quinceañera dresses, bridal gowns, and custom couture pieces. His work has been featured in beauty pageants, where he has also served as a judge, and he has appeared on local television as a fashion expert, sharing his knowledge and passion for design.
Today, Gilberto continues to create timeless, handcrafted pieces that celebrate elegance, craftsmanship, and the transformative power of fashion as an art form.
The Centre for Diversity helps organizations cultivate inclusive, respectful, and equitable environments. Through tailored training, education and equity reviews, we support leaders, teams, and direct services staff in building cultural awareness, practicing meaningful inclusion, and embedding equity into everyday work.
