FARIDA ABU-BAKARE
M.ARCH, OAA, FRAIC
Architect, Curator
Farida Abu-Bakare is the youngest Fellow of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) and a licensed architect with the Ontario Architects Association (OAA). Her notable achievements include holding key council roles in these professional associations, which underscore her unwavering commitment to architecture in Canada.
As the Director of Global Practice at WXY, Farida Abu-Bakare has reached a significant milestone in her professional journey. Her career is defined by diverse experiences, including her roles as Project Director at Adjaye Associates in Accra, Ghana, and Associate at HOK in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. These experiences have honed her design acumen and broadened her perspective on architecture.
Beyond conventional boundaries, Abu-Bakare’s engagement with architecture has been elevated through international collaborations with artists and collectives. These experiences have expanded her outlook and led her to explore the dynamic intersections between architecture and art through curation.
Farida Abu-Bakare’s multifaceted career reflects her steadfast commitment to pushing the boundaries of architecture and its influence on culture and society. As she continues to navigate and contribute to the evolving landscape of architecture globally, she is dedicated to leading and inspiring change.
M.ARCH, OAA, FRAIC
Architect, Curator
Farida Abu-Bakare is the youngest Fellow of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) and a licensed architect with the Ontario Architects Association (OAA). Her notable achievements include holding key council roles in these professional associations, which underscore her unwavering commitment to architecture in Canada.
As the Director of Global Practice at WXY, Farida Abu-Bakare has reached a significant milestone in her professional journey. Her career is defined by diverse experiences, including her roles as Project Director at Adjaye Associates in Accra, Ghana, and Associate at HOK in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. These experiences have honed her design acumen and broadened her perspective on architecture.
Beyond conventional boundaries, Abu-Bakare’s engagement with architecture has been elevated through international collaborations with artists and collectives. These experiences have expanded her outlook and led her to explore the dynamic intersections between architecture and art through curation.
Farida Abu-Bakare’s multifaceted career reflects her steadfast commitment to pushing the boundaries of architecture and its influence on culture and society. As she continues to navigate and contribute to the evolving landscape of architecture globally, she is dedicated to leading and inspiring change.
Project Spotlight
DANCING IN THE LIGHT (Top)
Dancing in the Light intertwines contemporary Black life through portraiture, drawing from The Wedge Collection. Part of MOCA Toronto’s “The City is a Collection” series, it highlights Toronto’s private art collections. Curated by Abu-Bakare and Kate Wong, the exhibition features works from over 40 artists, including Oreka James, Carrie Mae Weems, Jonathan Lyndon Chase, and Lynette Yiadom-Boakye. The diverse mediums explore Black existence, challenging traditional narratives by portraying moments of stillness and vulnerability as expressions of strength. Abu-Bakare envisions the exhibition as a space for engagement and reflection, with seating, books, and music to deepen visitors’ connection with the art. The exhibition offers a transformative experience, honoring the nuanced stories of Black lives and exploring identity, culture, and human experience.
SHOOTING HUNGER (Bottom)
Shooting Hunger, designed by Farida Abu-Bakare and conceived by Attukwei Clottey, combines traditional Ghanaian culinary elements with a message on climate change. Central to the installation is an oversized earthen bowl with a clay Asanka, symbolizing Ghana’s food preparation heritage. Accompanied by Homowo festival songs, the piece reflects on historical famine and today’s climate challenges affecting crop yields and communities. It explores food rituals and features Clottey’s Afrogallonism, repurposing Ghanaian jerry cans to address plastic waste and environmental conservation. This art piece highlights Ghana’s cultural heritage and comments on the global impact of climate change on food security. It serves as a call to action, urging viewers to consider the environmental implications of their choices and inspire activism for sustainable living. “Shooting Hunger” merges art and environmental advocacy, emphasizing tradition and contemporary environmental challenges.
DANCING IN THE LIGHT (Top)
Dancing in the Light intertwines contemporary Black life through portraiture, drawing from The Wedge Collection. Part of MOCA Toronto’s “The City is a Collection” series, it highlights Toronto’s private art collections. Curated by Abu-Bakare and Kate Wong, the exhibition features works from over 40 artists, including Oreka James, Carrie Mae Weems, Jonathan Lyndon Chase, and Lynette Yiadom-Boakye. The diverse mediums explore Black existence, challenging traditional narratives by portraying moments of stillness and vulnerability as expressions of strength. Abu-Bakare envisions the exhibition as a space for engagement and reflection, with seating, books, and music to deepen visitors’ connection with the art. The exhibition offers a transformative experience, honoring the nuanced stories of Black lives and exploring identity, culture, and human experience.
SHOOTING HUNGER (Bottom)
Shooting Hunger, designed by Farida Abu-Bakare and conceived by Attukwei Clottey, combines traditional Ghanaian culinary elements with a message on climate change. Central to the installation is an oversized earthen bowl with a clay Asanka, symbolizing Ghana’s food preparation heritage. Accompanied by Homowo festival songs, the piece reflects on historical famine and today’s climate challenges affecting crop yields and communities. It explores food rituals and features Clottey’s Afrogallonism, repurposing Ghanaian jerry cans to address plastic waste and environmental conservation. This art piece highlights Ghana’s cultural heritage and comments on the global impact of climate change on food security. It serves as a call to action, urging viewers to consider the environmental implications of their choices and inspire activism for sustainable living. “Shooting Hunger” merges art and environmental advocacy, emphasizing tradition and contemporary environmental challenges.
