The Gallery: Meet Ani Sarian, the Artist behind the Traces of Time Exhibition

The Gallery

In response to demand from local artists for exhibition space and to promote and celebrate our talented local artists, the London Arts Council and the City of London Culture Services have collaborated with RBC Place London to pilot The Gallery program at RBC Place London as part of our London Arts Live (LAL) program offerings.

The purpose of The Gallery is to promote the work of artists and creators residing in London and surrounding First Nations to display original artworks for exhibition, with sales opportunities, on highly prominent and specially designated wall space within this municipally owned building.

For the sixth exhibition, The Gallery featured artworks created by Ani Sarian, a local visual artist. Born in Damascus, Syria, Ani Sarian is of Armenian descent. From an early age, she found solace in painting, using art to express her inner thoughts and emotions. For Sarian, art serves as a refuge—a safe space where she can process and understand the world around her.

Sarian studied at the Djemaran Academy in Aleppo from 1978-1980 and the Sarian Academy in 1981. In 2012, as the war in Syria escalated, Sarian and her family relocated to Canada (2016), seeking safety and stability. In this peaceful environment, Sarian has once again immersed herself in her creative practice.

An Interview with Ani Sarian

Traces of Time by Ani Sarian

(May - September 2025)

Q: Tell us the story behind the work that makes up the Traces of Time exhibition.

How did it start? What was it inspired by?

A: Traces of Time began as a deeply personal exploration into memory and the quiet ways time leaves its mark on both the body and environment. It was inspired by moments that slip through the cracks of everyday life — textures fading on walls, shadows shifting across a room, and emotional echoes of places once familiar. I wanted to capture the poetry in those traces and how they whisper.

Q: What inspires you as an artist?

A: I’m constantly inspired by the in-between — those liminal spaces where emotion meets form, memory meets material. Nature, decay, urban solitude, and the emotional resonance of overlooked details feed my imagination. I’m also deeply moved by human vulnerability in our attempts to hold on, to remember, to make meaning.

Q: Walk us through the creative process behind this work. How do you go about creating these fascinating images which sit on the cusp between representation and abstraction?

A: My process often begins intuitively — with a gesture, a mark, a texture that feels right. I work in layers, allowing the piece to evolve rather than planning it rigidly. I let accidents happen and then respond. It’s a dialogue between control and surrender. I aim to evoke rather than describe — so what emerges might resemble something familiar, but it resists full recognition. That ambiguity is intentional — it invites personal interpretation.

Q: Why does creativity matter to you?

A: Creativity is how I process the world. It’s a form of witnessing, of translating what can’t be said out loud. It creates connection—between inner and outer worlds, between people. In a society that often demands certainty and speed, creativity allows for pause, reflection, and vulnerability. It’s essential, not optional.

Q: What is it like being a creative here in London? Are there gaps that currently exist when it comes to supporting the Arts? What kind of support is needed?

A: London is rich with artistic energy, but it can also be isolating and inaccessible—especially for emerging or underrepresented artists. There’s a need for more grassroots platforms, affordable studio spaces, and sustained mentorship, not just exposure. We need investment in not just finished products but the messy, unseen process of creation.

Q: What do you envision now for your future in the Arts here in London?

A: I see myself building more community — collaborating across disciplines, mentoring younger artists, and creating immersive experiences that bring people into deeper engagement with art. I want to keep pushing the boundaries of my medium while staying grounded in honesty and emotional resonance.

Q: What made you most excited about putting yourself out there to work with the London Arts Council and RBC Place London for this exhibition?

A: The invitation to share vulnerable, process-driven work in a public space felt both bold and affirming. Collaborating with the London Arts Council and RBC Place meant being part of a conversation — about what art can be, and who it’s for. I felt seen not just as an artist, but as a storyteller.

Q: We hope to see lots more of your artwork around the city. Where else can we find your artwork?

A: You can find more of my work online on my Instagram page @ani_sarian.

View the Traces of Time Exhibition at RBC Place London on the following dates:

May 13 | 11:00am - 9:30pm

May 15 | 11:00am - 9:00pm May 16 | 12:00pm - 8:00pm May 17 | 9:00am - 9:00pm May 21 - 25 | 9:00am - 6:00pm May 26 | 1:00 pm - 9:00pm May 28 | 10:00am - 8:00pm

May 29 | 11:00am - 8:00pm

June 2 - 6 | 8:00am - 5:00pm June 7 | 8:00am - 11:00am June 11 | 12:00pm - 4:00pm June 12 | 8:00am - 5:00pm June 16 | 9:30am - 2:30pm June 18 | 9:00am - 5:00pm June 19 | 9:00am - 4:00pm June 23 - 30 | 8:00am - 4:00pm

July 3 | 11:00am - 2:00pm July 10 | 11:00am - 2:00pm

August 14 | 11:00am - 2:00pm              

August 21 | 11:00am - 2:00pm              

August 23 | 4:00pm - 9:00pm August 28 | 11:00am - 2:00pm August 29 | 7:00am - 10:00am

– more dates to be included – **enter via the main doors on York St.**

The objectives of the Gallery program are: to create a beautiful, unique, and cultured atmosphere; provide compelling experiences for local, national, and international visitors; educate the public by presenting a series of diverse artworks created by local professional artists; and provide professional opportunities for local artists, including increased promotion, sales, and career enhancement.

For more information about this project or inquiries regarding purchasing artworks, please contact the London Arts Council at info@londonarts.ca