‘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.
Event Details
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!
Meet the Artists
Arefeh Norouzi
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.
Juan Rivas
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.
Antonio De Dios González
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.
Ray Hassoun
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
About the Organizer
Centre for Diversity:
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.
