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.
$150.00
Acrylics and oil pastels on illustration board (matted and framed).
11.50x9.50"
The original artwork size is 6.50 x 4.50 inches.
This illustration is based on an adaptation of "Layla and Majnun"; an old story of Arabic origin by the Persian poet Nizami Ganjavi, it is a popular poem praising their love story. Majnun and Layla fall in love with each other when they are young, but when they grow up Layla's father doesn't allow them to be together.
$150.00
Acrylics, oil pastels, and paper collage on illustration board (matted and framed).
11.50x9.50"
The original artwork size is 6.50 x 4.50 inches.
This illustration is based on an adaptation of "Layla and Majnun"; an old story of Arabic origin by the Persian poet Nizami Ganjavi, it is a popular poem praising their love story. Majnun and Layla fall in love with each other when they are young, but when they grow up Layla's father doesn't allow them to be together.
$150.00
Paper collage, acrylics and oil pastels on illustration board (matted and framed).
11.50x9.50"
The original artwork size is 6.50 x 4.50 inches.
This illustration is based on an adaptation of "Layla and Majnun"; an old story of Arabic origin by the Persian poet Nizami Ganjavi, it is a popular poem praising their love story. Majnun and Layla fall in love with each other when they are young, but when they grow up Layla's father doesn't allow them to be together.
$300.00
Acrylics and oil pastels on poster board (matted and framed).
19x12"
The original artwork size is 14 x 7 inches.
This is a story about a caterpillar who gets stuck in a vase and loses its way. Throughout this journey, he learns a lot about change in life
$300.00
Acrylics and oil pastels on poster board (matted and framed).
19x12"
The original artwork size is 14 x 7 inches.
This is a story about a caterpillar who gets stuck in a vase and loses its way. Throughout this journey, he learns a lot about change in life
$300.00
Acrylics and oil pastels on poster board (matted and framed).
19x12"
The original artwork size is 14 x 7 inches.
This is a story about a caterpillar who gets stuck in a vase and loses its way. Throughout this journey, he learns a lot about change in life
$300.00
Acrylics and oil pastels on poster board (matted and framed).
19x12"
The original artwork size is 14 x 7 inches.
This is a story about a caterpillar who gets stuck in a vase and loses its way. Throughout this journey, he learns a lot about change in life
$250.00
Acrylics and fabric collage on canvas paper pad (matted and framed).
8x8"
$250.00
Acrylics and collage on canvas paper pad (matted and framed).
7.50x8.50"
$250.00
Acrylics and oil pastels on poster board (matted and framed).
19x13.50"
The original artwork size is 14 x 8.50 inches.
This illustration is done for Shahnameh, "The Book of Kings", a long epic poem written by the Persian poet Ferdowsi between c. 977 and 1010 CE and is the national epic of Greater Iran. Consisting of some 50,000 two-line verses, the Shahnameh is the world's longest epic poem written by a single poet. It tells mainly the mythical and to some extent the historical past of the Persian Empire from the creation of the world until the Islamic conquest of Persia in the 7th century. Modern Iran, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan and the greater region influenced by the Persian culture (such as Georgia, Armenia, Turkey, and Dagestan) celebrate this national epic.
$200.00
Acrylics and oil pastels on poster board (matted and framed).
12x13.50"
The original artwork size is 7 x 8.50 inches.
This illustration is done for Shahnameh, "The Book of Kings", a long epic poem written by the Persian poet Ferdowsi between c. 977 and 1010 CE and is the national epic of Greater Iran. Consisting of some 50,000 two-line verses, the Shahnameh is the world's longest epic poem written by a single poet. It tells mainly the mythical and to some extent the historical past of the Persian Empire from the creation of the world until the Islamic conquest of Persia in the 7th century. Modern Iran, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan and the greater region influenced by the Persian culture (such as Georgia, Armenia, Turkey, and Dagestan) celebrate this national epic.
$200.00
Acrylics and oil pastels on poster board (matted and framed).
12x13.50"
The original artwork size is 7 x 8.50 inches.
This illustration is done for Shahnameh, "The Book of Kings", a long epic poem written by the Persian poet Ferdowsi between c. 977 and 1010 CE and is the national epic of Greater Iran. Consisting of some 50,000 two-line verses, the Shahnameh is the world's longest epic poem written by a single poet. It tells mainly the mythical and to some extent the historical past of the Persian Empire from the creation of the world until the Islamic conquest of Persia in the 7th century. Modern Iran, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan and the greater region influenced by the Persian culture (such as Georgia, Armenia, Turkey, and Dagestan) celebrate this national epic.