Shania Sukhai is an interdisciplinary, Canadian-West Indian emerging artist specializing in Experimental Animation, Sculpture/Installation, and Education. Her work centers on themes of mental health and her upbringing as a Canadian-born Guyanese. After receiving her Honours Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), Shania will attend the University of Toronto's Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) to complete her Master in Teaching in Fall 2025, with the goal of teaching Visual Art and French at the high school level. While she is pursuing a career in education, Shania remains committed to her artistic practice. She plans to continue exhibiting her work through gallery shows, artist calls, and magazine features, with the aim of inspiring others to pursue careers in the visual arts and design industries. Shania’s work draws deeply from her own life experiences as well as those of her friends and family. Stories shared by her close friends and relatives — including her Ajah (paternal grandfather), Nanee (maternal grandmother), and Nana (maternal grandfather) — have shaped her exploration of mental health conditions, generational trauma, and the rich history of Guyana within the Caribbean community. Throughout her time at OCAD University, she developed a strong foundation in both digital and analog animation techniques, blending technology and traditional methods in her animation and sculptural installations to bring her ideas to life. She is inspired by artists such as Yayoi Kusama, Baylee Jae, Emily Kewageshig, Tim Whiten, Stanley Brouwn, Philippe Blanchard, and Helenya Apostolou, among many others. Studying their practices and life experiences allows Shania to deepen her understanding of how personal histories inform creative work.Prior to fully committing to art, Shania studied Forensic Anthropology at the University of Toronto Mississauga. However, during the pandemic — with the encouragement of her parents — she decided to pursue her lifelong passion for the visual arts. Her own mental health journey and pursuit of balance between life and work continue to inform and enrich her practice. Above all, Shania hopes that through her teaching and her art, she can spark the courage in others to chase their passions unapologetically — and to build lives where creativity and purpose go hand in hand.