Yasir Ali is a self-taught, Vancouver-based abstract and mixed-media artist exploring identity, memory, impermanence, and belonging. Raised in Dubai and now based in Canada, his work reflects experiences of cultural transition and the evolving relationship between people and place. Drawing on his background in construction operations, Ali combines structural thinking with experimentation, incorporating acrylics, concrete, silica, plastics, and organic materials into layered compositions. His work has been exhibited at PoMoArts, Historic Stewart Farm, Beaumont Studios, and other venues across British Columbia. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Langley Arts Council, supporting community arts and cultural engagement.

ARTIST’S STATEMENT

My practice explores the tension between control and surrender, permanence and impermanence, and the stories we construct to understand ourselves. Through abstract, mixed-media compositions, I experiment with acrylics, concrete, silica, plastics, and organic materials, allowing structure and unpredictability to coexist. Layering, concealment, and revelation become metaphors for memory, identity, and transformation. Influenced by cultural transitions, natural landscapes, and constructed environments, my work considers how experiences shape our evolving sense of belonging. Increasingly, I incorporate participatory elements that invite audiences to contribute their own narratives. Ultimately, I seek to create spaces for reflection, curiosity, and the continuous reimagining of ourselves.