Banafsheh Erfanian
Banafsheh Erfanian is a Toronto-based multidisciplinary artist. She wears different hats
as an illustrator, painter, arts educator, and mentor. She has illustrated many books and
magazines for children and young adults and her work has been short-listed in several
illustration competitions and exhibited in numerous juried exhibitions such as in Iran,
Italy, US, Canada, Russia, China, Japan, and Serbia. She has had one illustration and
two painting solo exhibits in Toronto. She has won awards such as the RBC Arts
Access Awards, Canada, 2020, 2019, and 2017, The Award of Excellence of Golden
Pinwheel Young Illustrators Competition, China, 2016 and the Encouragement Prize of
the 15th Noma Concours for Picture Book Illustration, Japan, 2004. Banafsheh has
participated in jury panels such as the Toronto Art Council Newcomer & Refugees grant,
Scholastic arts & writing awards, New York, 2022, "Newstar Cup" Canada’s
International Children and Youth Creative Arts Exhibition, 2018 & 2019 and Tirgan
Painting Contest for Children, 2019.
ARTIST’S STATEMENT
I tell my stories through art using imagination as a tool of expression. I am inspired by narratives that convey mythical, poetical, and philosophical themes. In my multidisciplinary practice, I employ magical realism and surrealism to create a milieu that is tied to and stems from my cultural background as an Iranian-Canadian artist meaning I am into but not constrained to interpreting my Iranian heritage using satire and surrealism. As an illustrator especially for children, my approach is different. I create a positive, hopeful, and peaceful atmosphere for children in which they can indulge in playfulness and creativity.
Banafsheh Erfanian is a Toronto-based multidisciplinary artist. She wears different hats
as an illustrator, painter, arts educator, and mentor. She has illustrated many books and
magazines for children and young adults and her work has been short-listed in several
illustration competitions and exhibited in numerous juried exhibitions such as in Iran,
Italy, US, Canada, Russia, China, Japan, and Serbia. She has had one illustration and
two painting solo exhibits in Toronto. She has won awards such as the RBC Arts
Access Awards, Canada, 2020, 2019, and 2017, The Award of Excellence of Golden
Pinwheel Young Illustrators Competition, China, 2016 and the Encouragement Prize of
the 15th Noma Concours for Picture Book Illustration, Japan, 2004. Banafsheh has
participated in jury panels such as the Toronto Art Council Newcomer & Refugees grant,
Scholastic arts & writing awards, New York, 2022, "Newstar Cup" Canada’s
International Children and Youth Creative Arts Exhibition, 2018 & 2019 and Tirgan
Painting Contest for Children, 2019.
ARTIST’S STATEMENT
I tell my stories through art using imagination as a tool of expression. I am inspired by narratives that convey mythical, poetical, and philosophical themes. In my multidisciplinary practice, I employ magical realism and surrealism to create a milieu that is tied to and stems from my cultural background as an Iranian-Canadian artist meaning I am into but not constrained to interpreting my Iranian heritage using satire and surrealism. As an illustrator especially for children, my approach is different. I create a positive, hopeful, and peaceful atmosphere for children in which they can indulge in playfulness and creativity.
$500.00
Paper collage, gouache and oil pastels on illustration board (matted and framed).
21x17"
The original artwork size is 16 x 12 inches.
Tender as she is our Mother Earth held in her arms the
inanimated corps of the cow, this consecrated creature so to carry the fecundation of the everlast droplets of its blood in her uterus, so all fractions of the globe enjoy their share of it.
$400.00
Paper collage, acrylics and oil pastels on poster board (matted and framed).
20.50x20.50"
The original artwork size is 15.50 x 15.50 inches.
Sepandārmazgān is an ancient Iranian festival with Zoroastrian roots dating back to the Achaemenid Empire, the first Persian Empire. This festival is widely known as the Persian Day of Love, although it is celebrated in its neighboring Persian-speaking countries as well such as Afghanistan and Tajikistan. This day is dedicated to Spənta Ārmaz who is given the domain of "earth".
$400.00
Paper collage, acrylics and oil pastels on poster board (matted and framed).
14x14"
The original artwork size is 9 x 9 inches.
Sepandārmazgān is an ancient Iranian festival with Zoroastrian roots dating back to the Achaemenid Empire, the first Persian Empire. This festival is widely known as the Persian Day of Love, although it is celebrated in its neighboring Persian-speaking countries as well such as Afghanistan and Tajikistan. This day is dedicated to Spənta Ārmaz who is given the domain of "earth".
$400.00
Paper collage, acrylics and oil pastels on poster board (matted and framed).
14x14"
The original artwork size is 9 x 9 inches.
Sepandārmazgān is an ancient Iranian festival with Zoroastrian roots dating back to the Achaemenid Empire, the first Persian Empire. This festival is widely known as the Persian Day of Love, although it is celebrated in its neighboring Persian-speaking countries as well such as Afghanistan and Tajikistan. This day is dedicated to Spənta Ārmaz who is given the domain of "earth".
$450.00
Mixed media on illustration board (matted and framed).
18x22"
The original artwork size is 8.6 x 8.6 inches.
A girl gets jealous of her newborn sister and starts speaking to God about it. God shows her his beauty embodied in nature and reminds her that her mother loves both children the same.
$700.00
Acrylics and oil pastels on illustration board (matted and framed).
23x14"
The original artwork is 18 x 9 inches.
A girl gets jealous of her newborn sister and starts speaking to God about it. God shows her his beauty embodied in nature and reminds her that her mother loves both children the same.
$300.00
Acrylics and oil pastels on illustration board (matted and framed).
17x14"
The original artwork size is 12 x 9 inches.
A girl’s father passes away when she was a child. The girl can’t believe her father’s death and always dreams of her home when the father was still alive. The father always appears in the girl’s dreams and talks to her. In the end, he helps her daughter to get back to real life reassuring her of his presence and spiritual support in her life.
$300.00
Acrylics and oil pastels on illustration board (matted and framed).
15x14.50"
The original artwork is 10 x 9.50 inches.
Life is a journey of certainties and uncertainties. The sun rises and falls every single day. Seasons change and existence is always questioned. Given these facts, you find contrast in almost every aspect of life. Contrast is one of the most crucial fundamentals when it comes to Art Esthetic. contrast enriches the artwork and makes it attractive to the audience. Being a human is a huge ambiguity itself. Why am I here? Why do I have to be born and die even without having control over that? When we are about to come into existence no one asks for our permission nor when we die. After all, between a beginning and an end, we have the will and power, and there comes the responsibility of existence. In the midst of wind and waves and in massive metropolitans you might find yourself very tiny. But always remind yourself life is a paradox. And that is what makes it beautiful and attractive as if it is a work of art and you find the meaning of life through sorrowful and cheerful moments; which makes a meaningful contrast.
$300.00
Acrylics and oil pastels on illustration board (matted and framed).
15x14.50"
The original artwork is 10 x 9.50 inches.
Life is a journey of certainties and uncertainties. The sun rises and falls every single day. Seasons change and existence is always questioned. Given these facts, you find contrast in almost every aspect of life. Contrast is one of the most crucial fundamentals when it comes to Art Esthetic. contrast enriches the artwork and makes it attractive to the audience. Being a human is a huge ambiguity itself. Why am I here? Why do I have to be born and die even without having control over that? When we are about to come into existence no one asks for our permission nor when we die. After all, between a beginning and an end, we have the will and power, and there comes the responsibility of existence. In the midst of wind and waves and in massive metropolitans you might find yourself very tiny. But always remind yourself life is a paradox. And that is what makes it beautiful and attractive as if it is a work of art and you find the meaning of life through sorrowful and cheerful moments; which makes a meaningful contrast.