Karen Pe'er

Artist Bio

Karen Pe’er (she/her) is a Toronto-based visual artist, mother, and recent Drawing & Painting graduate from OCAD University. Her work is deeply rooted in her cultural heritage and her experiences as a member of the Jewish diaspora. Pe’er’s practice explores the complexities of home, displacement, and identity. She confronts the painful legacies of her ancestry while grappling with her own transient relationship to place, delving into the personal and collective history of the Yemenite Jewish community. By acknowledging difficult truths and the hardships faced in a land meant to offer sanctuary, she reclaims these narratives, honours the resilience of her people, and brings their stories out of silence. Through vibrant, symbolic works, Pe’er seeks to revitalize Yemenite Jewish traditions, preserve cultural memory, and ensure these stories continue to evolve across generations.