ABOUT
Charisma Panchapakesan is a Toronto-based artist and architect whose drawings combine realism and symbolism to examine the human experience. Using animals, anatomy, and the natural world as recurring motifs, she creates allegorical works that explore vulnerability, transformation, attachment, and care.
Her practice asks what we value, why we value it, and what connects us to one another. Through beauty, symbolism, and storytelling, she transforms emotional and philosophical ideas into visual narratives that encourage reflection on the beliefs and experiences that shape our lives.
Panchapakesan's work has been exhibited at the Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto History Museums, and the McMichael Canadian Art Collection. Her work is held in the City of Toronto Fine Art Collection, and her solo exhibition Folk Tails was presented at Colborne Lodge in 2024. She is also the co-founder of CAB Architects, a Toronto-based residential architecture practice.
CV
SOLO & DUO EXHIBITIONS
2024
Folk Tails | Colborne Lodge, Toronto History Museums, Toronto CA
2023
In The Menagerie | Art Gallery of Ontario Sales & Rental, Toronto CA
Two Birds | Artwrk
A Way With Whimsy | House SFW, Rhinebeck, New York USA
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2026
National Portrait Gallery of Canada (of Bloorcourt) | Gallery 1065, Toronto
2025
The Ribbon | Antler Gallery, Oregon USA
Beyond the Sea | Nanny Goat Gallery, California USA
En Plein Air Competition | McMichael Canadian Art Collection, Kleinburg CA
Folkloria | Poetic Tiger Gallery, Idaho USA
2024
Artist Project |Exhibition Place, Toronto CA
All Killer No Filler | Northern Contemporary, Toronto CA
2023
Artist Project |Exhibition Place, Toronto CA
Modus Operandi | Northern Contemporary, Toronto CA
2022
Artist Project |Exhibition Place, Toronto CA
Drawing 2022 |John B. Aird Gallery, Toronto CA
Summer Group Show |Blue Crow Gallery, Toronto CA
Makeroom Auction Space | 401 Richmond, Toronto CA
The Gold Standard | Northern Contemporary, Toronto CA
2021
Summer Group Show |Blue Crow Gallery, Toronto CA
2020
The Space Project BLVCK |Hashtag Gallery, Toronto CA
Support Collection | CSI, Toronto CA
OOAK Online | Toronto CA
AWARDS & GRANTS
2025 - Top Finalist in Susannah Kelly Art Award
2025 - Top Finalist in Art Comp 2025
2024 - 2nd Place Winner in the McMichael Canadian Art Collection “En Plein Air” Competition
2024 - Top Finalist from Portrait Society of Canada Animal Portrait Competition
2024 - Top Finalist for CIBC C2 Art Prize
2024 - Ontario Arts Council Exhibition Assistance Grant
2023 - Winner of Deserres Artist Prize for Works on Paper
2023 - Recipient of Awakenings Mentorship from Toronto History Museums
PUBLICATIONS
Playful Drawings by Charisma Panchapakesan, Create Magazine, 2022
Animal Drawings in Fantastic Settings, Design Stack, 2021
Best Books for Canadian Architects, Canadian Architect, 2021
The City of Homes, By Hand, Designlines, 2020
EDUCATION
2010 - Master of Architecture, University of Waterloo
2007 - Bachelor of Architectural Studies with Honours, University of Waterloo
NOTABLE COLLECTIONS
City of Toronto Fine Art Collection