Visiting Artist Program Featuring Marzi and Hassan
We’re delighted to welcome visual artist and sculptor Marzi, alongside woodworker and craft artist Hassan, to Queenston Pottery as part of our Visiting Artist Program. This special exhibition features Marzi’s deeply emotive, contemporary surrealist ceramic sculptures alongside Hassan’s striking hand-carved furniture and objects, works that beautifully balance human narrative with the raw, natural beauty of locally sourced wood.
About the Artists
Marzi Alimo is a visual artist, sculptor, and painter whose practice centers on surrealist ceramic sculpture. Her artistic journey began before earning a degree in Craft and Design from the Art University of Kashan, Iran, where she initially focused on painting. Over time, she explored crafts, illustration, and jewelry design before discovering her true passion for sculpting. As a self-taught sculptor, Marzi developed her figurative work through observation, self-study of human anatomy, and years of experimentation, without formal mentorship. Her sculptures reflect a deep commitment to storytelling through figurative forms. In her contemporary surrealist sculptures, Marzi explores human emotions and social challenges. Each piece offers a three-dimensional narrative, inviting viewers to see themselves within the work and reflect on feelings they may never have personally experienced. Her art is a space for empathy and connection, shaped by her journey as a migrant.
Hassan Ghanaati has dedicated the last decade to perfecting his craft, primarily focusing on woodworking while experimenting with pottery, ceramics, and metal. Hassan has graduate degrees in Craft & Design, and his work has been exhibited in juried national shows and exhibitions.
In 2023, he received the William and Mary Corcoran Award for Excellence in Functional Craft from Craft Ontario. In 2025, he served as a juror for the Craft Ontario Awards, contributing to the selection of that year’s recipients.
His deep respect and concern for the natural world inform his practice, sourcing the wood for his pieces locally and milling exclusively from distressed or fallen trees. Each hand-carved piece aims to reflect nature, working with the material and allowing nature to play a role in the creative process. As a result, each work combines elements of contemporary design and the natural beauty of wood.
Event Highlights
This exclusive exhibition will feature Marzi's latest surrealist ceramic works and Hassan's contemporary hand-carved woodwork, and we’re excited to showcase the pieces they have selected for our gallery.
Join us during their Meet the Artist Day on November 14 & 21, from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM, to engage with Marzi and Hassan, hear about their creative processes, and learn more about the inspirations behind their respective crafts. Guests are welcome to inquire directly about commissions and future projects.
Marzi and Hassan's work will be on display in our gallery from November 11, 2026, to January 3, 2027
Don’t miss the opportunity to experience this thoughtful and expressive exhibition by two of our region's highly accomplished contemporary craft artists.