Curriculum Vitae

BIO

Roshan James (she/her) is a Tibetan-Indian multidisciplinary artist, poet, and musician, living as a settler in southwestern Ontario. As part of the South Asian diaspora, Roshan researches and experiments to create work that embodies decolonization, identity, timelessness, mindfulness, purpose, and healing. Entrenched in her work is anti-oppression advocacy and representation of marginalized, queer, and melanated voices to help dismantle colonial, capitalistic systems. As a vocalist, musician, and sound composer, Roshan is a recipient of a 2023 Canada Council for the Arts grant. She is deeply involved in advocating for mental health and the arts - Roshan is on the Board of Governors for Lutherwood Canada, and she sits on the Board of Directors for the Contemporary Art Forum Kitchener + Area (CAFKA). Roshan studied at Queen's University and the Centre for Medieval Studies at the University of Toronto, and she holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from York University, summa cum laude. You'll find her on social media, most active on Instagram at @roshan_james.

ARTIST STATEMENT

My primary goal is to make art for community and public spaces to shape a more inclusive, compassionate world. I am currently focused on questions about identity, origin, cosmology, and entanglement.

In my studio, I experiment with deconstruction, balance, bold colours, textures, and simple, upcycled material. You can find examples of my work in my visual art online portfolio. Through the use of dramatic proportions and playful pairing of media, I convey my sense of wonder and remind myself that life here on Earth is small and temporary, but we are so much more. We are infinite energy embodied in everyday places, people, and things.

Similarly, through poetry, I play with words, phrasing, and simple juxtapositions to turn old ideas on their side. In music, I incorporate different textures of analog and digital sound to create meaning from chaos, producing ethereal soundscapes.

EDUCATION

  • Honours Bachelor of Arts, English Literature summa cum laude, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada

  • Studied English Literature and Economics at Queen’s University; and English Literature and Philosophy at the Centre For Medieval Studies, University of Toronto

GRANTS & AWARDS

  • 2023 Ontario Arts Council Grant. Exhibition Assistance, recommended by Gallery Stratford.

  • 2023 Canada Council for the Arts Grant. Professional development for vocal training.

  • 2022 Annual Juried Exhibition, ArtsPay. Honourable Mention Award for ‘Mythology.’

  • 2022 Region of Waterloo Arts Fund Grant (Spring round). Peaceful Gathering Mural and Augmented Reality Gallery.

BOARDS & MEMBERSHIPS

VISUAL ARTS, EXHIBITIONS & INSTALLATIONS

  • Virtual Artists UK - International Artists, Online Virtual Reality Exhibition, hosted by Robots of London, October & November 2021.

  • Artwork held in private collections Open for commissions.

BOOKS, PUBLICATIONS, SPOKEN WORD,
MUSICAL PERFORMANCES & ALBUMS

  • Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery. Commissioned Spoken Word Performance, Waterloo, ON; Nov 25, 2023.

  • University of Waterloo Art Gallery. Commissioned Spoken Word Performance, Waterloo, ON; Nov 25, 2023.

  • Black & Gold Gala, Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery. Spoken Word Performance, Cambridge, ON; Oct 19, 2023.

  • Pink Moon. ECW Press, Toronto; September 2023.

  • World Poetry Day 2023 - City of Waterloo. ‘To Be Free’ selected as one of 11 Poems as part of the city’s celebrations on March 21, 2023.

  • International Women’s Day 2023. Spoken word performance for ‘Women Talking’ Film Screening, Princess Cinemas, Waterloo. March 8, 2023

  • ‘Warm Love.’ Live Performance, 2023 ArtsPay Annual Show Reception. November 25, 2022.

  • ‘Warm Love.’ Digital EP & Mixtape Community Art & Music Project. October 2022.

  • ‘You Are The Magic.’ Live Performance. Neruda Arts mural unveiling. September 2022.

  • ‘Spirit of Her.’ Live Performance. AKASHA Artist Reception, Kitchener, July 29, 2022

  • Breaking (2020). Available in-store and online at Words Worth Books, and through online book retailers.

  • Art of the Unknown (2018). Currently unavailable for online orders. Copies will be made available from time to time.

  • Poetry reading, Indigo, Toronto - 2018

  • Poetry reading, St. Jacobs, 2018

  • Poetry reading, FaithTech, CIGI Waterloo, 2017

  • Ignite Waterloo Speaker, June 2013

INTERVIEWS

EXPERTISE

  • Nationally-recognized poet, spoken word artist, and sound composer

  • Visual artist – Mixed media, oil, acrylic, sculpture, photography, illustration, digital media

  • Classically-trained pianist - Royal Conservatory, Grade 8 practical and theory

  • Trained vocalist, coached by Emm Gryner and Mitch Seekins

  • 20 years of experience in business strategy, governance, planning, reporting, and integrated communications and marketing

  • Brand strategy and creative concept development; writing and editing

  • Digital content creation and graphic design, including website layouts and augmented reality

  • Academic research; business data analysis and insights