My name is Idris Gayowsky (he/they, b. 2001) and I’m from Toronto, Ontario. I’m currently completing my undergrad in Painting and Drawing at Concordia University. My work deals with the human condition, queer identity, nostalgia and memory. I work with oil or watercolour for my paintings, and charcoal and India ink wash for my drawings. I have recently started incorporating fibers and textile techniques into my practice, such as embroidery and sewing. I have two main wells of inspiration; The first is my family, reaching back to my Ukrainian ancestors. I’m inspired by their stories, both factual and fictional, and what connections they have to the present. The second is my personal identity and interests, reinterpreting the world around me. Some points of interest are feminism, sexual liberation, music, and drag performance. I have experience across many creative fields, pulling from multiple sources to create my visual language.

Exhibitions

2024: Conclusions: A Night of Cozies & Community, Private apartment show, Montréal. M0DEL AFTER THE FIGHT, H0LD M3.

2025: Come As You Are, Private apartment show, Montréal. Avé Maria: Prelude, Part I, Part II.

2025: Touch to Craft to Touch, Genesis Studios, 4526 Parc Ave, Montréal. H0LD M3.

Upcoming Exhibitions

May 2026: Yiara Magazine, Vol. XIV. Inconclusive.