OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers is excited to announce Aashna Pujara and Charlotte “Char” Carbone as the recipients of the Contemporary Textile Studio Co-op 2025 Residency Career Launchers!
Aashna Pujara:
Aashna Pujara is a South-Asian multidisciplinary artist from Hamilton, Ontario, currently studying at OCAD University in Toronto. Their work consists of printmaking and textiles, and often a harmonious collaboration of the two mediums. In their practice, they are currently exploring the concept of home, and metaphors that relate to and beyond the actual structure. Through material research, working with elements from the earth, and active investigation of their memories of living in two different countries, they aim to use natural imagery and textures to convey their thoughts. The work is often process driven, physical materials and intuition lead to experimentation and testing to give their work new forms.
Website
Instagram: @aashnapujara / @shnarrative
Charlotte “Char” Carbone:
My name is Charlotte “Char” Carbone (they/them). I am a working class, disabled, queer, Asian adoptee artist and designer. I hold a BDes in Fashion Design and an MFA in Interdisciplinary Art/Media/Design. I am an ex-corporate fashion mercenary who became a forever-changed creative freelancer. My industry expertise encompasses costume design, community arts organizing, and performance arts, including work with The Bentway, Toronto Dance Theatre, The Canadian Dance Assembly, IKEA Canada, CBC Arts, and grant projects funded by the TAC and OAC. I am a part of the local QTBIPOC arts communities of Toronto Waacking as an organizer, and Toronto kiki ballroom as a member of The Iconic House of Juicy Couture. My lived experiences and art/work are inseparable, as I collaborate with my communities to combat inequity and injustice through artistic intervention and disruption.
Website
Instagram
*Photo by Daniel Lastres
Learn more about our Career Launchers at: https://careerlaunchers.format.com
