BY J.M. LEE
Taslim Samji is a multi-disciplinary artist, curator, and writer. From childhood, she knew she was destined for more. Creativity is her calling, but cultural expectations stifled it. Growing up in a traditional South Asian household, she gradually understood her role as a girl and the limitations that came with it. Early on, she questioned her parents and the cultural expectations placed on her. She felt trapped in a suffocating pattern.
“My mother struggled with cultural expectations. As new immigrants, my parents worked long hours, and when my mother came home, additional domestic responsibilities awaited her. She did her best to keep her children safe despite her exhaustion.”
Taslim did what was expected of her: attained a formal education at a reputable university, married, and had children. Still, a void remained in her. She had things to say but didn’t know how. “My voice had been suppressed for many years. I knew art was my calling, but I was also scared to fail, especially when my father disapproved of a career in the arts. My father passed away at age 58. I loved him dearly. With the fear of disappointing him removed, something within me changed. One experimental art class revealed to me that art was my purpose.”
Soon after, Taslim enrolled in a program at Emily Carr University of Art + Design. She attended art classes while raising children and managing her home and floral business. She volunteered with community arts and culture programming. “My artistic skills were developing, and inspiration started to flow. Imposter syndrome lingered, but I pushed on—this was about my dharma.”
Intuitively, she began sharing her vulnerability through visual arts and spoken word poetry. “I wrote poetry about my experiences and ideas relating to misogyny, feminism, politics, my challenges with mental health, impostor syndrome, cultural conditioning, and more. I recorded my spoken words and shared them on YouTube and social media. This practice exposed me to another level of vulnerability.”
While studying at Emily Carr University, she sought representation in galleries, but found none. This lack of representation during a spike in racially motivated hate crimes motivated her to curate exhibitions relating to immigration, racism, and xenophobia, stemming from her childhood experiences.
“With each project, my confidence grew,” her face brightened. “My voice got stronger. My husband and children encouraged me along the way. I began to source opportunities to use my voice to give others who are too marginalized a voice. When my work inspired and uplifted others, it brought me joy. Building my art practice required effort and commitment. Giving myself space to grow, share ideas, experiment with different creative approaches, and develop multiple skill sets to support my passion was revolutionary for me.”
Having her voice heard when she is one of the few women or people of color at the table has its challenges. “My advice is to know your stuff so you can confidently speak. This isn’t about who has the loudest voice at the table. It’s about connecting with people and having them relate to your vision.”
Taslim continues to explore new forms of creative media. Recently, she completed six murals at Burnaby General Hospital—two in the inpatient Mental Health Unit and four in the Dementia Unit. “My upcoming book, Undervalued: Brown Girls’ Guide to Finding Your Worth, will be released next month (June 2025) on Amazon, and another book I co-authored will be available later in September 2025 called Be Light to Raise Light. This book is about the journey of motherhood and the insights and profound lessons that come with raising children. I want my children—and all children—to confidently live their truth and discover their calling.”
Every experience has shaped Taslim into the person she is today, stronger and more self-aware. “My mother’s resilience and determination in the face of challenges are qualities I carry with me. I continue questioning my values and behaviors to break the patterns that no longer serve my highest good. As an activist, I utilize the arts and the power of storytelling to inspire others to see the world differently, hopefully with more compassion. Our healing will profoundly impact those we share our lives with, whether we know them personally or not. Together, we can create a ripple effect of positive change that transcends boundaries and transforms communities.”
