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.
$200.00
Ink and water on paper (framed).
12x16"
The original artwork size is 8 x 10 inches.
The Conference of the Birds (1177), is a celebrated literary masterpiece of Persian literature by the poet “Farid ud-Din Attar”, commonly known as Attar of Nishapur.
In the poem, the birds of the world gather to decide who is to be their sovereign, as they have none. The hoopoe, the wisest of them all, suggests that they should find the legendary Simorgh. The hoopoe leads the birds, each of whom represents a human fault that prevents humankind from attaining enlightenment.
$200.00
Ink and water on paper (framed).
12x16"
The original artwork size is 8 x 10 inches.
The Conference of the Birds (1177), is a celebrated literary masterpiece of Persian literature by the poet “Farid ud-Din Attar”, commonly known as Attar of Nishapur.
In the poem, the birds of the world gather to decide who is to be their sovereign, as they have none. The hoopoe, the wisest of them all, suggests that they should find the legendary Simorgh. The hoopoe leads the birds, each of whom represents a human fault that prevents humankind from attaining enlightenment.
$200.00
Ink and water on paper (framed).
12x16"
The original artwork size is 8 x 10 inches.
The Conference of the Birds (1177), is a celebrated literary masterpiece of Persian literature by the poet “Farid ud-Din Attar”, commonly known as Attar of Nishapur.
In the poem, the birds of the world gather to decide who is to be their sovereign, as they have none. The hoopoe, the wisest of them all, suggests that they should find the legendary Simorgh. The hoopoe leads the birds, each of whom represents a human fault that prevents humankind from attaining enlightenment.
$200.00
Ink and water on paper (framed).
12x16"
The original artwork size is 8 x 10 inches.
The Conference of the Birds (1177), is a celebrated literary masterpiece of Persian literature by the poet “Farid ud-Din Attar”, commonly known as Attar of Nishapur.
In the poem, the birds of the world gather to decide who is to be their sovereign, as they have none. The hoopoe, the wisest of them all, suggests that they should find the legendary Simorgh. The hoopoe leads the birds, each of whom represents a human fault that prevents humankind from attaining enlightenment.
$200.00
Ink and water on paper (framed).
12x16"
The original artwork size is 8 x 10 inches.
The Conference of the Birds (1177), is a celebrated literary masterpiece of Persian literature by the poet “Farid ud-Din Attar”, commonly known as Attar of Nishapur.
In the poem, the birds of the world gather to decide who is to be their sovereign, as they have none. The hoopoe, the wisest of them all, suggests that they should find the legendary Simorgh. The hoopoe leads the birds, each of whom represents a human fault that prevents humankind from attaining enlightenment.
$200.00
Ink and water on paper (framed).
12x16"
The original artwork size is 8 x 10 inches.
The Conference of the Birds (1177), is a celebrated literary masterpiece of Persian literature by the poet “Farid ud-Din Attar”, commonly known as Attar of Nishapur.
In the poem, the birds of the world gather to decide who is to be their sovereign, as they have none. The hoopoe, the wisest of them all, suggests that they should find the legendary Simorgh. The hoopoe leads the birds, each of whom represents a human fault that prevents humankind from attaining enlightenment.
$200.00
Ink and water on paper (framed).
12x16"
The original artwork size is 8 x 10 inches.
The Conference of the Birds (1177), is a celebrated literary masterpiece of Persian literature by the poet “Farid ud-Din Attar”, commonly known as Attar of Nishapur.
In the poem, the birds of the world gather to decide who is to be their sovereign, as they have none. The hoopoe, the wisest of them all, suggests that they should find the legendary Simorgh. The hoopoe leads the birds, each of whom represents a human fault that prevents humankind from attaining enlightenment.
$200.00
Ink and water on paper (framed).
12x16"
The original artwork size is 8 x 10 inches.
The Conference of the Birds (1177), is a celebrated literary masterpiece of Persian literature by the poet “Farid ud-Din Attar”, commonly known as Attar of Nishapur.
In the poem, the birds of the world gather to decide who is to be their sovereign, as they have none. The hoopoe, the wisest of them all, suggests that they should find the legendary Simorgh. The hoopoe leads the birds, each of whom represents a human fault that prevents humankind from attaining enlightenment.
$500.00
Acrylics and fabric collage on canvas.
12.50x12.50"
‘Fly Your Burning Kite’ is a visual interpretation of the post-1979 revolution era in Iran. It addresses the ongoing cultural issues Iran has been dealing with since the revolution. Iran has been experiencing crucial cultural and political changes. The use of symbolism and surrealism is a powerful tool for the artist to portray this bizarre chain of events taking place in Iran and the destruction that is left behind by the revolution and war.
$500.00
Acrylics and fabric collage on canvas.
12.50x12.50"
‘Fly Your Burning Kite’ is a visual interpretation of the post-1979 revolution era in Iran. It addresses the ongoing cultural issues Iran has been dealing with since the revolution. Iran has been experiencing crucial cultural and political changes. The use of symbolism and surrealism is a powerful tool for the artist to portray this bizarre chain of events taking place in Iran and the destruction that is left behind by the revolution and war.
$450.00
Acrylics and fabric collage on gallery canvas.
8x8"
‘Fly Your Burning Kite’ is a visual interpretation of the post-1979 revolution era in Iran. It addresses the ongoing cultural issues Iran has been dealing with since the revolution. Iran has been experiencing crucial cultural and political changes. The use of symbolism and surrealism is a powerful tool for the artist to portray this bizarre chain of events taking place in Iran and the destruction that is left behind by the revolution and war.
$450.00
Acrylics and fabric collage on gallery canvas.
8x8"
‘Fly Your Burning Kite’ is a visual interpretation of the post-1979 revolution era in Iran. It addresses the ongoing cultural issues Iran has been dealing with since the revolution. Iran has been experiencing crucial cultural and political changes. The use of symbolism and surrealism is a powerful tool for the artist to portray this bizarre chain of events taking place in Iran and the destruction that is left behind by the revolution and war.