Artist Aquil Virani creates live painting for NHL’s Ottawa Senators.

The Senators invited me to their 2016 Fan Fest to produce an interactive painting. We asked fans, “What do you love most about your Ottawa Senators?” and re-wrote their responses into a section of the acrylic and aerosol painting. The artwork features #9 Bobby Ryan, #25 Chris Neil, #65 Erik Karlsson, and #7 Kyle Turris.

Artist Aquil Virani creates collaborative painting at TEDxMontreal.

Over 600 TEDx attendees were invited to participate in a communal artwork.

Participants answered the open-ended question, “What defines your perspective?” and watched as their responses were integrated into the live, collaborative painting throughout the day. The painting was purchased immediately – as soon as it was unveiled.

McGill’s Artful Inquiry Symposium 2016

While I was leaving the house on Saturday to check out this full-day conference, I figured I should maybe grab my camcorder. When I arrived, the organizers were delighted. They asked me to use it as much as I could after previous photography/videography plans had fallen through. This is what I threw together.

If you have any questions about the video, my work, or anything else, send me an email at aquilvirani[at]gmail(dot)com.

Artist Aquil Virani creates “Nature” painting.

The human figure is rendered here in the same style as the background.

It’s an artistic decision that says “We are one with nature.” Scientifically, we’re made of the same molecules. Spiritually, we’re made of the same energy. That idea resonates with a ton of Canadians. That’s why we featured it in our Canada’s Self Portrait exhibit at Galerie Mile-End in Montreal.

Artist Aquil Virani creates collaborative artwork at Shawn & Mitch’s wedding.

Friends and family wrote their best advice for a happy marriage, watching as it was integrated into a live painting of the couple. I tried my best to do justice to the beautiful faces of the newlyweds.

From Mitch: “We reached out to Aquil to help create a special and unique artistic moment for our wedding. What he delivered went above and beyond what we ever could have imagined. Aquil was so gracious, patient, creative, and attentive during the planning. His work during the wedding captivated our guests and invited them to co-create the artwork and share in the moment.”

“We are absolutely in love with what Aquil created for us. Both the piece and its story will forever remain very meaningful to us.”

Artist Aquil Virani creates detailed drawings using whatever comes to mind.

Using only a ball-point pen and a bit of coloured paint, the drawing is formed, stroke by stroke.

It’s a painstaking process that require plenty of patience. But once completed, the intricate images weave in and out of each other. There’s always something new to look at.

This is a commissioned screenprint I made for a donor to Canada’s Self Portrait.

After our fundraising campaign for our coast-to-coast trip across Canada, we promised to thank some of our major sponsors and donors with customized artworks. I learned through a few conversations that our Cape Bretonese donor, Anna-Marie, loved the Three Sisters mountain range in Canmore, Alberta. With three older brothers, it reminded her of them, standing tall, together. We surprised her with a set of prints during our exhibition at the Canadian Museum of Immigration in Halifax.

What makes you feel at home? A collaborative artwork from TEDxHEC.

My goal was to juxtapose the participants’ responses – things like family, warmth, food, and feelings of acceptance – with the stark reality of many First Nations children throughout history and today, especially those who were forced into Canadian residential schools up until the mid-1990’s.

The 2-minute video shows the journey of the artwork from blank canvas to colourful painting.
Special thanks to Helene Vallieres-Goulet, Tristan Billet and the entire TEDxHEC team for letting me present on stage twice. This is an artwork that I’m very proud of; I think it allows different access points for viewers who can appreciate the social message, the technical or skillful aspect of the work, and the thought-provoking presentation of “home” in the context of First Nations peoples and Canadian immigrants.

After creating 24 pieces in 24 hours to celebrate his 24th birthday, Virani is taking things one step further, challenging himself to create 100 works of art in only 7 days. Big paintings, small drawings, quirky illustrations, colourful collages, and even fabricated photographs – anything is possible in this 7-day art challenge. The final pieces, barely dry from the day before, will be at the official vernissage that coincides with Virani’s 25th birthday – Friday, January 15th at 6pm at Galerie Mile-End (5345 Park Avenue).

Artist Aquil Virani creates collaborative painting at Ronald McDonald House Charity fundraiser.

I was invited to Mississauga, Ontario by The Idea Hunter (a leader in the Canadian events industry) to create a live artwork. We asked participants about what concepts they associated with “home” and asked them to write them out on stickie notes. These responses were integrated onto the canvas along with painted hand prints. The painting was then sold via blind auction to the highest bidder.