Bright Lights by Regina Efendieva

Akin Vitrine Gallery

1747 St Clair Ave West

November 7 - December 31

Viewable 24/7 from the street

As the season changes, we’re looking forward to seeing the beautiful work of Akin Yonge-St Clair member Regina Efendieva up at the Akin Vitrine Gallery. Read on to learn more about Regina’s work, and artistic practice.

Regina Efendieva is a Toronto Based visual artist who explores the subjective nature of vision, and storytelling through portraiture. "Bright Lights" features three paintings, all influenced by the light sensitivity and aura associated with migraine. The installation runs from Nov 7 to the end of December.

Akin: What are you curious about right now?

Regina Efendieva: “Right now I am reading up on jumping spiders, I've decided to cure my phobia by learning all about the creatures. It's not working. Yet. But maybe you'll spot one in a new painting one day. Probably not, though.”

Akin: Tell us a bit about your Vitrine Exhibition

RE: “I see auras as part of daily life. At any moment, my world can fill with rainbows, blurring, and fractured light. It is disorienting, painful, and disruptive, but I choose to feed these visual disturbances into my work.”

Akin: Do you have studio routines or rituals?

RE: “Honestly I could most often be found scrolling on my phone, sitting in front of the easel. It's a ritual I prefer to replace with something like flipping through some art books but I am who I am.”

Akin: What inspires you?

RE: “I read a lot of books, and I love to go for long walks and stare at people. Usually the books and the people watching melt together into something interesting in my head that I can then try to paint.”

Akin: What does your Akin studio mean to you?

RE: “I'm terrible at painting from home, I am more likely to do almost anything else, including laundry. When I wanted to be more consistent with my painting I looked into getting studio space and Akin was great in terms of location and cost! I love it here, and I love all the friends I've made since I got my studio space.”

Akin: What advice would you tell your younger self about creating art?

RE: “I would tell my younger self not to worry too much about external validation and to focus on making art for the joy of it.”

Find more of Regina’s work here: @iamregina_e