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.
$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.
$250.00
Acrylics on canvas (framed).
13x10.50"
The original artwork size is 8 x 5.50 inches.
$500.00
Gouache, oil pastels, and paper collage on poster board (matted and framed).
20.50x17"
The original artwork size is 15.50 x 12 inches.
In Zoroastrian mythology, on the last day of the world, all the vicious forces are united in the form of a giant wolf struggling with the virtuous forces of the world in the form of a huge angel. At the end of the day, the angel overcomes the wolf and there would be no wickedness in the world as the light conquers the darkness.
$500.00
Paper collage, gouache and oil pastels on poster board (matted and framed).
20.50x17"
The original artwork size is 15.50 x 12 inches.
his painting is inspired by Zoroastrian mythology. Tishtrya is a Zoroastrian Rain God who struggles against the drought-bringing demon Apaosha. He is in the form of a pure white horse with Apaosha in the form of a black horse. Apaosha soon gains the upper hand over Tishtrya, who was weakened from the lack of sufficient prayers and sacrifices from humankind. The Creator Ahura Mazda, offers a sacrifice to Tishtrya which enables him to overcome Apaosha, and his rains were able to flow to the parched fields and pastures unabated by drought.
$500.00
Acrylics and oil pastels on poster board (matted and framed).
23.50x19"
The original artwork size is 18.50 x 14 inches.
This painting is inspired by Zoroastrian mythology and celebrations. In Zoroastrian culture, Fire is celebrated because of its light which is the symbol of God.
$500.00
Acrylics and oil pastels on poster board (matted and framed).
23.50x19"
The original artwork size is 18.50 x 14 inches.
This piece is inspired by the story of The Miraculous Journey of Mohammed, the Islam prophet which tells of the night journey, including the ascension of Mohammad to heaven and inferno.
$400.00
Acrylics and oil pastels on poster board (matted and framed).
20x15.50"
The original artwork size is 15 x 10.50 inches.
This piece is inspired by the story of The Miraculous Journey of Mohammed, the Islam prophet which tells of the night journey, including the ascension of Mohammad to heaven and inferno.
$400.00
Acrylics and oil pastels on poster board (matted and framed).
20x15.50"
The original artwork size is 15 x 10 inches.
This piece is inspired by the story of The Miraculous Journey of Mohammed, the Islam prophet which tells of the night journey, including the ascension of Mohammad to heaven and inferno.
$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
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
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 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.