NORDIC ARTIST EXCHANGE [NAX]
Congratulations to Our Selected Artist, Hamilton Filmmaker Lesley Loksi Chan, Selected for the 2025 Nordic Artist Exchange Residency in Tallinn, Estonia
The Nordic Artist Exchange (NAX) proudly announces that Hamilton-based artist and filmmaker Lesley Loksi Chan has been selected as the 2025 participant for the esteemed residency program in Tallinn, Estonia. This marks a significant milestone as the program fosters artistic and cultural exchanges between Canada and the Nordic-Baltic region.
Lesley Loksi Chan (b. Hamilton, Ontario, Canada) is an accomplished artist and filmmaker exploring how objects and images shape memory, perception, and communal experience. Through experimental, handmade, and process-based filmmaking, she creates moving-image mementos that challenge conventional narratives. Her latest film, Lloyd Wong, Unfinished (2025), premiered at the 75th Berlinale, where it received both the Golden Bear for Best Short Film and the Teddy Award for Best Short Film.
During her residency, Chan will conduct extensive archival research on the work of Estonian filmmaker Leida Laius, an influential figure in Estonian cinema. In addition, she will engage with contemporary artists and filmmakers based in Tallinn, fostering cross-cultural collaborations and exchanging creative methodologies.
Graphic Artist Kadri Toom Announced as Next Nordic Artist Exchange Resident at the Cotton Factory
The Cotton Factory is proud to welcome Estonian artist Kadri Toom as the newest recipient of the Nordic Artist Exchange (NAX) residency at the Cotton Factory, Hamilton. Based in Tallinn, Estonia, Toom brings a dynamic and contemporary approach to printmaking, combining graphic art, photography, painting, and installation to create richly textured, collage-like works that explore spatial awareness and the landscapes of daily life.
Kadri Toom’s practice centres on experimental and alternative graphic techniques, often engaging with themes of the built environment, urban structures, and how contemporary people interact with space through both digital and physical experiences. Her works use expressive colour and precise linework, challenging traditional forms of printmaking and pushing the boundaries of contemporary graphic expression.
“Canada has a long and consistent tradition of graphic art,” says Toom. “With international graphic artists gathering here in 2025, I feel this is the right time and place to be experimenting, learning, and sharing ideas.”
During her residency, Toom will explore local architecture, particularly the contrast between neoclassical structures and new developments, through pinhole photography and photo-drawing collages. She plans to collaborate with Smokestack Studio, a contemporary print and photo facility in Hamilton, and immerse herself in the creative community at the Cotton Factory.
Her program includes practical experimentation, skill-sharing, and furthering her education through local partnerships and artist exchanges. The residency reflects the core goals of the Nordic Artist Exchange: to foster international collaboration, promote innovation in visual arts, and build enduring cultural bridges between Canada and Northern Europe.
Toom holds a master’s degree in Graphic Arts from the Estonian Academy of Arts and has exhibited extensively in Estonia and abroad. She was named Graphic Artist of the Year by the Estonian Association of Graphic Artists in 2021 and has received multiple prestigious awards, including the Estonian Cultural Endowment Annual Award and the Wiiralt Prize. Her work has been featured in international residencies, exhibitions, and collaborative art projects across Europe.
The Cotton Factory and its partners in Hamilton and Taillin look forward to supporting Kadri’s creative journey throughout her residency and to sharing her work with the public through upcoming exhibitions and events.
Building Cultural Bridges Through Art
The Nordic Artist Exchange Residency is more than an opportunity for artistic development—it serves as a cultural bridge, strengthening artistic communities across international borders. This initiative is supported by the Estonian Artists’ Association (EAA), an organization dedicated to fostering the sustainable development of Estonian art and culture. With a rich history dating back to 1922, the EAA is one of Estonia’s most prominent artistic associations, boasting 997 members and 18 sub-associations. The organization plays a crucial role in cultural policymaking, protecting the interests of creative professionals and advocating for the arts at both national and international levels.
Through this program, the Cotton Factory and the EAA provide participating artists with flights, accommodations, studio space, and a weekly honorarium, ensuring they can fully immerse themselves in their creative work. The residency will culminate in a public event, where Chan will share insights from her research and creative projects developed during her time in Tallinn.
About the Nordic Artist Exchange (NAX)
The Nordic Artist Exchange (NAX) is a collaborative residency program dedicated to fostering international artistic dialogue. By connecting artists from the Nordic and Baltic regions with Canadian creatives, the program aims to inspire innovation, deepen cultural understanding, and establish lasting relationships within the global arts community.
