Setayesh Babaei
MEMBER AT LARGE
Setayesh Babaei is an Iranian-Canadian artist, designer and researcher based in Toronto. She obtained her Bachelor of Environmental Design from OCAD University, where her ongoing project, 'Veins,' was born, with the first proposal winning The Angelo Donghia Foundation Design Residency Prize. Setayesh actively contributed to the Lost Rivers Programming Committee, leading educational tours and representing the organization on local television, including Breakfast TV in 2020.
With expertise in design visualization and experience gained through an internship with the City of Toronto, Setayesh served as a full-time Graphic Designer at BA Consulting Group. Her multidisciplinary skills have led her to diverse roles, including recruiter, project lead, coordinator, creative designer, curatorial assistant, and educator. Notably, she was recognized with the Student Employee Excellence Award during her undergraduate studies and received an honorable mention for the Student Leadership Award. She has also served as a Board Member at Onsite Gallery’s Advisory Programming Committee.
Currently pursuing graduate studies at OCAD University, Setayesh serves as a teaching assistant for a third-year undergraduate course on Research Methodologies. Following the birth of her child in 2021, she shifted her creative focus to explore maternal and postpartum experiences through her project, 'Mādar.' This endeavor aims to challenge societal and political expectations while sparking awareness and meaningful conversations about postpartum journeys.
'Mādar' stands as a powerful testament to the transformative nature of art, fostering reflection and dialogue on the genuine, intricate, and beautiful aspects of motherhood. Setayesh's studio practice revolves around the concept of healing through creative expression, where she explores materiality, color, and diverse forms of artistic endeavor.