Exhibitionists·Video

Pakistani-Canadian artist Maria Qamar's unique brand of pop art rules Instagram

Maria Qamar has managed to rise above the negativity to create art that celebrates — and lovingly satirizes — her hybrid South-Asian/Canadian culture.

The artist, whose Instagram handle is Hatecopy, is getting back at her haters

Maria Qamar on the road to globally known pop artist

9 years ago
Duration 3:49
Pakistani-Canadian artist Maria Qamar is an Instagram smash hit for her pop-style paintings that pull in Pakistani aunties, Bollywood, and a razor-sharp sense of humour.

Maria Qamar emigrated from Pakistan to Canada with her family when she was nine years old. She could never have predicted the merciless bullying and racism that she would experience in her new home country.

In this video, Qamar, who goes by Hatecopy online, tells CBC Arts how she managed to rise above the negativity to create art that celebrates — and lovingly satirizes — her hybrid South-Asian and Canadian culture.

Because what better way to get back at your haters than to be on the cover of Elle Canada and have your work featured by Vogue, the Toronto Star and the BBC?

Watch Exhibitionists Sunday at 4:30pm (5pm NT) on CBC TV.