Stéphane Alexis
Social impact artist
Stéphane Alexis is a social impact artist and founder of IM Known Studios. He focuses on creating conceptual narratives about identity, memory, trauma, and healing. Exhibited nationally and internationally, with work held in public collections and supported by cross-sector partnerships in mental health, community wellness, and creative storytelling.From a young age, Stéphane became familiar with experiences that would later shape his artistic practice. Growing up alongside a brother with significant support needs while navigating his own challenges, he spent much of his childhood moving between hospitals, home, and periods of isolation. Experiences that often foster belonging and community felt difficult to access or sustain.During those years, creativity became more than a pastime. Drawing, painting, crafting, and eventually photography offered a way to process experiences that were often difficult to put into words. Art became a space to reflect, ask questions, and make meaning of life's challenges.What began as a personal outlet eventually evolved into a professional practice. After studying photography, Stéphane developed a bodies of work that combine conceptual imagery with personal and social themes. His projects examine how individuals and communities navigate illness, caregiving, identity, faith, relationships, and recovery, inviting viewers to see themselves and one another with greater empathy and understanding.Today, through both his artistic practice and IM Known Studios, Stéphane uses visual storytelling as a tool for reflection, dialogue, and connection. His work seeks to create spaces where people feel seen, known, and empowered to engage with difficult experiences in meaningful ways.
CV
EDUCATION2021 Artist in Residency Program – School of Photographic Arts: Ottawa (SPAO)
2020 Diploma, Photographic Arts & Production – SPAO
2016 Diploma, Business Administration (International Business) – Algonquin CollegeSOLO EXHIBITIONS2025 Chains & Crowns – Eastern Edge Gallery, St. John’s, NL
2023 Deep Cs (Chains & Crowns / The Collection) – Abbozzo Gallery, Toronto, ON
2022 Chains & Crowns – Forest City Gallery, London, ON
2022 Chains & Crowns – Pierre-François Ouellette art contemporain, Montréal, QC
2021 Chains & Crowns – Ottawa Art Gallery Annexe, Ottawa, ONSELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS2024 Inviting The Conflict – Ottawa Art Gallery Annexe
2023 We Do Not Dream of Labour – Ottawa Art Gallery Annexe
2023 Crépu: Our DNA – SAW Gallery
2023 Black History Month Presentation – Canadian Embassy, Washington, DC
2022–23 Metamorphosis – City Hall Art Gallery, Ottawa
2022 Workman Arts: Rendezvous With Madness – Toronto
2022 Festival Art SouTerrain – Montréal
2022 Karsh Continuum – City Hall Art Gallery, Ottawa
2021 Holding Pattern – City of Ottawa Art CollectionSELECTED PROJECTS2026 Where Are the Fathers? – Founder & Creative DirectorA city-funded multidisciplinary event supporting mental health, fatherhood, and community wellbeing through panels, creative engagement, and arts programming.2024–present IM Known Studios Initiatives – Creative StudioDevelopment of workshops, corporate trainings, youth programs, and community-oriented visual storytelling initiatives.2024–present Fatherly Advice – Interview SeriesCreator of a digital storytelling project sharing intergenerational wisdom and community health narratives through recorded conversations with fathers.2020–present The Collection – Multidisciplinary Photo-Based SeriesA multi-year conceptual project exploring identity, trauma, memory, and healing through surreal, color-based photographic narratives. The work includes three major chapters and continues to evolve into writing, therapeutic reflections, and a 3D animated adaptation in collaboration with curators and mental health practitioners.COLLECTIONS2022 Global Affairs Canada – Visual Art Collection
2022 Canada Council Art Bank
2022 City of Ottawa Art Collection
2021 City of Ottawa Art Collection
2020–present Private Collections (Canada)AFFILIATIONS & LEADERSHIP2025–present Marketing Committee Member – CAMH, Toronto
2025–present Founder & Director – IM Known Studios
2025–present Artist Facilitator & Mentor – BEING Studio, Ottawa
2024–present Spokesperson – Petro-Canada CareMakers Foundation (National Campaign)
2024–present Advisor – Ward 1 Studios, Toronto
2022–present Community Partner – Carlington Community Health Centre
2021–present Member / Contributor – OBAK (Ottawa Black Arts Kollective)
2021–present Artist Mentor & Workshop Facilitator – Ottawa arts & community organizations
2019–2022 Volunteer – Roger Neilson House (Children’s Hospice), OttawaSELECTED PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE2025 Juror – The Excellence in Visual Arts Awards (EVA Awards), NL
2024 Panelist – Black History Month Community Showcase
2024 Key Speaker – Black Performing Arts Showcase
2023 Juror – City of Ottawa Cultural Funding Program
2023 Juror – City of Ottawa Direct Purchase Program
2023 Artist Talks – Forest City Gallery; FIT (New York); Enriched Bread; Caregivers Summit
2022 Lead Artist – Carlington CHC Workshop
2022 Artist Talks – Karsh Continuum Exhibition; SPAO; ARTEASTGRANTS & AWARDS2024 Best Exhibition in a Commercial Gallery (Artist) – Ontario Galleries
2022 Exhibition Assistance – Ontario Arts Council
2022 Project X Photography Award Finalist – Ottawa Arts Council
2021 Concept to Realization – Canada Council for the Arts
2021 Creation & Production Fund – City of Ottawa
2021 Spectrum Bursary – SPAO Centre
2021 Recommender Grant for Writers – Ontario Arts Council
2020 Albino Pescatore Book Art Award – SPAO CentreSELECTED PUBLICATIONS & MEDIA2024 CBC Radio – All in a Day: Interview on Fatherly Advice
2024 Lovebound – Ward 1 Studios
2022 Ottawa Art and Artists: An Illustrated History – Art Canada Institute
2022 “Chains & Crowns: Identity Through Hair” – Jano Lapin
2022 CBC Radio – All in a Day with Alan Neal
2022 Le Droit – Feature
2021 PhotoEd Magazine – Winter Edition Cover & Spread
2021 CBC Radio – All in a Day (Karsh Continuum)
