Bisma Jay (Iqbal)

Biography

Bisma Jay is a queer Punjabi visual artist based in Toronto. Jay’s work delves into the intersection of identity, socio-economic issues, and cultural narratives. Through their art, Jay aims to elevate and create nuanced representation of queer and trans BIPOC individuals living in the diaspora. Their work is a testament to their dedication to social justice and representation, offering a lens into the complex layers of contemporary existence. Working across photography, cyanotype installation, and text, their practice explores queer South Asian histories, domestic space, and intergenerational memory. Jay holds a BFA in Photography from OCAD University and is currently completing a MFA in Visual Art at York University, where their research is supported by a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Canada Graduate Scholarship. Alongside their studio practice, Jay has worked within community arts and nonprofit spaces supporting queer youth and emerging artists.