Christian Maidankine has completed his Master of Architecture at Toronto Metropolitan University and is now an Artist-in-Residence at Harbourfront Centre. His background in architecture and interest in making has led to his exploring various materials, mainly leather.
Having aphantasia, the inability to imagine any types of visuals or sensations, Maidankine has developed a process rooted in making through iteration. Sketchbooks are constantly filled with notes and drawings, moving into maquettes, full-scale mockups and the final material. Documentation is critical to this process to record observations and suggestions for future work. Craft and design play an integral role in our lives, and working with leather has allowed Maidankine to explore aspects which we, quite literally, carry with us in our everyday lives. Primarily, his work carefully considers making, crafting and the person for whom the object is made.