Photographer, Videographer, Director, Visual Artist
Meet Aisha “Gina” Mohamed (she/her)
Aisha “Gina” Mohamed (she/her) is a multidisciplinary visual artist based in Toronto, Ontario, with roots in the Jane and Finch community. She is of Somali descent and has always had a strong connection to the arts, exploring different creative mediums from a young age. Her primary focus is photography and visual arts, and she recently began exploring videography and directing through the hands-on Flaunt-It internship.
Gina’s work is deeply influenced by her community, identity, and personal experiences. She is passionate about documenting everyday life with honesty and care, often capturing the beauty, strength, and complexity of underrepresented voices. Her photography and video work reflect themes of resilience, connection, and self-expression. As an emerging artist, Gina is committed to growing her creative practice while staying grounded in her values of community, representation, and authenticity. She continues to explore new mediums and collaborative projects that allow her to express herself while making space for others to do the same.
"Beyond Me"
Short Film and Painting by Aisha "Gina" Mohamed — Artist Statement [EXCERPT]
Art, for me, has always been a way of keeping my younger self close. I create to remember, to reflect, and to reconnect with parts of myself that have been quiet for too long. My piece, “Beyond Me,” is both a short film and a painting, telling the story of how our relationship with creativity changes as we grow. It explores the journey of beginning with wonder, losing that spark to frustration or self-doubt, and finding it again in a new form. The inspiration for this work came from my own experience of drifting away from the creative habits I loved as a child—drawing, painting, and making without fear of mistakes. Over time, I noticed how easy it is to distance yourself from what once felt natural, and how hard it can be to return without judgment. The themes of “Beyond Me” revolve around memory, identity, and self-connection. My hope is that viewers see their own journeys reflected in the work and feel inspired to revisit what once lit them up inside.
The short film uses three versions of myself: childhood, adolescence, and adulthood, to illustrate the evolving ways we approach creation. What I want people to take away from “Beyond Me” is the reminder that the younger version of you still exists, waiting to create alongside you. Creativity isn’t about returning to who you were; it’s about carrying early sparks forward into who you are now.