In the energetic environments of commercial districts and transit hubs, slowing down is essential for replenishing our minds and bodies at the beginning and end of long days.

‘Dwell’ is a design exhibition that offers opportunities to slow down and connect in the hustle and bustle of Union Station – Canada’s busiest transportation hub. Five artists and designers explore what taking pause amidst the rush of urban travel looks like. Through a showcase of furniture, florals, rugs, and animation, the exhibition explores thoughtful moments and offers of respite and reflection.

Artists and Designers

Kristina Ljubanovic is a multi-disciplinary designer, writer and educator with two decades of experience working across architecture, journalism, exhibition design and strategy. She brings a wealth of hands-on experience in quantitative and qualitative research, visioning, story and content development, branding, signage & wayfinding, environmental, exhibit and graphic design. Foremost, she sees herself as an engaged problem solver and storyteller. Lately, she’s been very into floral design.

The POOREX design studio, founded in 2004, is a one-person design-artistic activity. Its founder is Bartosz Mucha, an artist, 2-D and 3-D designer, pedagogue, singer and lyrics writer. The studio is oriented at designing and creating unique objects or their short series, occasionally produced and distributed. Studio POOREX functions mainly in the gallery circulation or in another form, cooperating with cultural institutions. The activity is based on three foundations: experiment, object and para architecture. The works are often accompanied by short video clips being an addition to the situations which are happening. An important element finalizing the individual series of objects are book publications. The experiences gained from working in the studio are an important element of didactic work on fields of study related to design, where the students are taught conceptual and experimental thinking about design. Recently, projects have been entering the region of craftsmanship and simple carpentry techniques.

Yasmin Mora is a Chicana, self-taught textile artist and designer based in Mexico City, with roots stretching from California to Jalisco, Mexico. Her process at Umaguma Studio vividly symbolizes her dual identities, and deep connection to my Mexican culture. She is fueled by a passion for intertwining traditional craftsmanship with innovative design. For about two years, Yasmin has been creating textiles that harmonize the past and present, invoking reflection and rhythmic movement. Using naturally dyed Mexican wool and a tufting machine, she handcrafts pieces that invite tactile stimulation and emotional resonance. Each piece is a personal journey, grounded in respect for my roots and a commitment to sustainability.

Kalpit Patel is a digital artist and filmmaker dedicated to exploring mental health issues within BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities. His work confronts the complexities of self-identity as a gay man and person of color, transforming deep emotions into tangible forms of expression. Each creation serves as a cathartic release, revealing truths that are often too raw to articulate. Kalppit’s artistic journey began on the vibrant streets of India, where her was inspired by Rangoli, an ancient art form that speaks to tradition and resilience. After moving to Canada, he graduated from a film production program, allowing him to intertwine visual storytelling with his passion for art. Now, Kalpit works as an artist and filmmaker, amplifying lived experiences and underrepresented voices. The fusion of Rangoli and digital art enables him to transcend traditional boundaries, creating new avenues for self-expression and fostering connection within diverse communities.

Alison Postma is a multidisciplinary artist based in Toronto. With a practice spanning photography, video, and sculpture, they have most recently been working with furniture as a medium. Alison graduated from the University of Guelph’s Studio Art program in 2016, and from Sheridan College’s Furniture Design Program in 2024. In September 2020, they became a co-founder of a new collective-run gallery space in Toronto, the plumb, dedicated to making physical space for emerging artists in the city. Alison’s work is intuitive, exploring thematic interests that include the interplay between objects and the human form, and distorted perceptions within alternate realities.

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‘Dwell’ is curated by DesignTO, co-presented with Union, and supported by the Government of Ontario, City of Toronto, Lemay, Sinai Kitchen, and VIVAIA.

About DesignTO

DesignTOis a non-profit arts organization celebrating 15 years of designing a sustainable, just, and joyful future. From January 24-February 2, 2025, the DesignTO Festival features 100+ free events across Toronto, showcasing hundreds of artists and designers. Known as Canada’s largest annual design festival, DesignTO has welcomed over 1 million attendees, reached 2.6 billion people through media, supported 6,500+ artists, and generated $120 million in tourism impact. “DesignTO isn’t just a festival; it’s an anti-loneliness machine,” co-founder Christina Zeidler remarked, underscoring the organization’s power to foster belonging and spark vital conversations about design’s role in shaping a better world.