Image Description: A poster for Leila Refahi’s exhibition Cool Zone in the Akin Vitrine Gallery. Black and white text reads “Leila Refahi Cool Zone, October and November 2025, Akin Vitrine Gallery, 1747 St Clair Ave W, www.akin.art/vitrine. In the background, a white ceramic tile that reads ‘cool zone’ is split through the middle.

This autumn, the Akin Vitrine Gallery is proud to present Cool Zone by artist Leila Refahi. The Akin Vitrine Gallery is viewable from the street 24/7 at the Akin St Clair studio, 1747 St Clair Ave West. The exhibition is on now and runs until the end of November.

Leila Refahi @leilarefahi.art is a Toronto-based visual artist, researcher, and educator whose practice explores the intersection of nature, mythology, and climate justice. Working across painting, installation, and socially engaged art, she investigates cycles of destruction and renewal, drawing on Iranian cultural narratives and ecological realities to reimagine our relationship with the natural world.

"Cool Zone" reflects on the aftermath of wildfires as both a scar and a threshold—a space where life pauses but also prepares to return. In this body of work, Refahi creates an environment that speaks to resilience, memory, and transformation. Through the dialogue between natural materials, sculptural forms, and paintings, the exhibition invites viewers to step into a metaphorical “cool zone”—a place of stillness where devastation and rebirth coexist. Here, the work becomes a reflective space to imagine how renewal might emerge from destruction.

Leila Refahi’s installation Cool Zone, a ceramic and wood sculpture sit in the foreground of the white walls of the vitrine gallery. On the side walls are two abstract paintings and on the back wall are mounted ceramic plaques all reading ‘cool zone’

Image Description: Leila Refahi installing her work in the Akin Vitrine Gallery.

Akin: What are you curious about right now?

Leila Refahi: “I’m curious about the evolving relationship between humans and nature—how mythology, memory, and culture shape the way we see the natural world, and how art can create space to reflect on environmental change, displacement, and resilience.”

Akin: “What do you do to stimulate curiosity and inspiration?”

LR: “I spend time observing nature closely, sketching, and researching mythology and ecological theory. I also engage with other artists and communities, which often sparks new ideas and directions for my work.”

Akin: “Do you have creative prompts or habits to help you get started? Any self-care tips to share?”

LR: “I often begin by sketching small observations from nature, reading research on ecology and climate change, or writing down words and memories connected to my theme—this helps me unlock ideas before starting larger works. For self-care, I take quiet walks, practice mindfulness, and give myself time to step away from the work so I can return with fresh eyes.”

Image Description: An image of Leila Refahi’s sculpture as part of the installation Cool Zone, a white ceramic structure interwoven with wood and natural fibres.

Akin: “What does your Akin studio mean to you? What brought you to Akin?”

LR: “My Akin studio is a space where I can slow down, experiment, and focus deeply on my work. Being surrounded by other artists creates a sense of community and exchange that fuels my practice. I was drawn to Akin because of its supportive environment and its commitment to providing accessible studio spaces for artists in Toronto.”

Akin: “What advice would you tell your younger self about creating art? What have you learned?”

LR: “I would tell my younger self to trust the process and not be afraid of experimenting or making mistakes—every attempt teaches something valuable. I’ve learned that creating art is as much about patience and curiosity as it is about skill, and that staying true to your own questions and interests is what keeps the work alive.”

You can find more of Leila’s work on her website or instagram