Ilene Sova

Between founding the Feminist Art Conference, chairing the Drawing & Painting Department at Toronto’s OCAD University, and starting a creative-arts program for elementary school students, it’s hard to believe that Ilene Sova had time to work on a solo exhibition. Yet, Unknown Relative was put on this summer at the John B. Aird Gallery. Sova shares her artistic and personal inspirations, from her whimsical childhood daydreams to her interdisciplinary professional life.

sM | The title of your recent solo exhibition, Unknown Relative, came from the back of a photo in your grandfather’s album. How is your creative process augmented by...