About

 

Banafsheh Erfanian is a Toronto based multidisciplinary artist with extensive experience in painting, book illustration, and art education. 

              

HIGHLIGHTS

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• A multidisciplinary artist with extensive experience in painting, illustration, and art education

• Short-listed for and won awards at international illustration and painting competitions

 

EDUCATION

 

Master's in Illustration              

Tehran University of Art, Tehran, Iran

 

Bachelor of Graphic Design 

Tehran University of Art, Tehran, Iran

 

WORK HISTORY

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• Illustrator, Mabellearts, 2020

• Art instructor, Art Starts, 2019, 2020

• Art instructor, Pristine Art School, 2020 

• Illustrator, ESL, Toronto, 2020, 2019

• Juror, Tirgan Nowruz painting contest for children, Toronto, 2019

• Juror, The 13th “Newstar Cup” Canada International Children and Youth Creative Arts Exhibition, 2019 

• Installation artist, People & Trees, Arts in the Parks, Toronto, 2018

• Mural artist, Legacy in Motion, Chinese Cultural Centre, Toronto, 2018

• Juror, The 12th “Newstar Cup” Canada International Children and Youth Creative Arts Exhibition, 2018     

• Illustrator, City of Toronto, Children’s Services, Information Technology and Business Transformation, 2017

• Illustrator, Groundwood Books, Toronto, 2017

• Mural artist, City of Tehran, Tehran, 2017

• Featured at Pingendi, a documentary about painting, Canada and US, 2015 

• Curator,“ A Dream within a Dream” project at Index G Gallery, Toronto, 2013

• Art instructor, Bita’s Living Art Center, Toronto, 2013-2017 

• Illustration Instructor, Azad University of Tehran, 2008 

•  Critic, Translator, and writer of more than 25 articles at 'The Art Quarterly Iranian Children and Adult Youths Book Review', 'Information Journal Monthly', 'Tandis Art Biweekly', and 'Literature Book Review and Information journal Monthly', Iran, 2005-2011

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AWARDS

 

• RBC Space Award, Neighbourhood Arts Network, Canada, 2019

• RBC Arts Access Fund, Neighbourhood Arts Network, Canada, 2019

• RBC Arts Access Fund, Neighbourhood Arts Network, Canada, 2017

• The Award of Excellence of Golden Pinwheel Young Illustrators Competition, China, 2016

• The world award of Monotheistic Religions Arts, Iran, 2008

• The 1st prize of” The Second Festival of Text Books Illustration, Iran, 2006

• The 3rd prize of Illustration Festival of National Arts, Iran, 2006

• The encouragement prize of the 15th Noma Concours for Picture Book Illustration, Japan, 2004

 

GRANTS AWARDED

 

• Starter Company Plus - Creative Business Program, City of Toronto, 2018

• Newcomer Artist Mentorship, Toronto Arts Council, 2017

 

BOOKS ILLUSTRATED AND PUBLISHED

 

• The Stories of Us, ESL, Canada, 2020, 2019

• Shahnameh for young Adults (4 volumes), Published by Dibayeh Publications, Iran, 2019

• A Cage Went in Search of a Bird, published by Groundwood, Canada, 2017

• Valentine's Day, published by Haftrang, Iran, 2014

• Borosilicate, published by Paragraphiti, US, 2014

• Raven Eyes, published  by EJ Ouellette, Canada, 2012

• Father & Daughter, published by Behnashr, Iran, 2012

• The Night Sun, published by Shabaviz, Iran, 2012

• Mithra, published by Shabaviz, Iran, 2012

• Me, Dandelion and Sister baby, published by Tarh Va Ejra, Iran, 2011

• The Spider and The Song of The Woods, published by Monadi Tarbiat, Iran, 2011

• Hanaee & Ghooghooli, published by Monadi Tarbiat, Iran, 2011

• Arabian Nights(5 volumes), published by Safire Ardehal, Iran, 2011

• The Butterfly winged, published by MonadieTarbiat, Iran, 2010

• The Unpublished Majnoon’s Letters, published by Hoze Noghreh, 2010

• Banafsheh Erfanian’s Art Works, published by Safire Ardehal, Iran, 2010

• Arda-Viraf-Nameh, published by Nazar, Iran, 2008

• Three editions of Book Fist – Quarterly Culture & Art, published by Karavan, Iran, 2007

 

ARTWORK FEATURED, EXHIBITED, AND PUBLISHED IN CATALOGUES FOR FESTIVALS AND BIENNIALS

 

• Golden Pinwheel Young Illustrators Competition, China, 2016

• The Golden Pen of Belgrade, 2009,2007,2005

• The 4th&5th International Festival of Illustration for Children, Padova, Italy, 2009, 2007

• The 1st Festival of Masterpieces of Literature, Iran, 2008

• The Festival of Illustration” Mantova”, Italy, 2008

• The 14th International Competition of Illustration” Ghosts & Getaways” –” Book project” -” Glimpses & views of Chioggia” Italy, 2008

• The International Exhibition of Dictionaries, Iran, 2006, 2007, 2008

• The Festival of Text Books Illustration, Iran, 2005, 2007

• The 1st Festival of Art & Security, Iran, 2007

• The 4th International Painting Biennial of the Islamic World, Iran, 2006

• The 15th Noma Concours for Picture Book Illustration, Japan, 2004

 

EXHIBITIONS

 

• Arts and Crafts exhibition, Aga Khan Museum, Toronto, 2019

• Juried solo show, Shahnameh, the Epics of Iranian Kings, a dialogue with Persian Youth, Toronto Centre for the Arts, Lower Gallery, Northbound Gallery program, in collaboration with North York Arts, 2019

• Group painting/illustration exhibition, StArt, Youth presenting Art Festival, Scarborough Village Theatre, Toronto, 2019

• Toronto Outdoor Art Fair, juried, Toronto, 2019

• 3rd group painting and illustration exhibition, Metro Hall, Toronto, 2018

• Arts at the Market, Saint Lawrence Art Market, juried art fair, Toronto, 2018

• The Second Persian Artwork & Artcraft Exhibition, Eran Gallery incorporation with Arta Gallery, Toronto, 2018

• 2nd Group painting and illustration exhibition, Metro Hall, Toronto, 2017

• 1st group painting and illustration exhibition, Metro Hall, Toronto, 2017

• Summer Artist Exhibition, Gallery 1313, juried exhibition, Toronto, 2017

• Double Vision show by CAPIC Toronto, Arta Gallery, juried exhibition, Toronto, 2015

• Group painting and illustration exhibition, Tantra Lounge, Toronto, 2015

• Group painting exhibition, Queen Gallery, juried exhibition, Toronto, 2014

• Group painting/illustration exhibition, Rebellion Gallery, Toronto, 2014

• Group painting/illustration exhibition, Want Gallery, Toronto, 2014

• A Night of Wine & Art, group painting/illustration exhibition-event, Toronto, 2014

• Group painting/illustration exhibition, INDEX-G Gallery, Toronto, 2013

• Group painting exhibition, Robert Kananaj Gallery, Toronto, 2013

• Art Brownie Zoo, group painting/illustration exhibition, INDEX-G Gallery, Toronto, 2013

• Group painting exhibition, Moniker Gallery, Toronto, Canada, 2013

• Group painting exhibition, Queen Gallery, juried exhibition, Toronto, 2013 

• Sketchbook Project Show, Distillery District, Trinity Square, Toronto,  2013

• Group illustration exhibition, “Iranian Gardens”, juried exhibition, Iran, 2012

• Group illustration exhibition, Iowa State University, juried exhibition, US,2012

• Group painting exhibition, Iranian Culture Forum, juried exhibition, Toronto, Canada, 2012 

• Group illustration exhibition, ”Picture of A Dream”, Iran, 2011

• Group illustration exhibition, Italy, 2009

• The Exhibition of The Most Superiors of International Illustration, The Cultural & Artistic center of Paradise of Nation, Iran, 2009

• Group illustration exhibition in Moscow, 2007

• Group drawing exhibition, Aria Gallery, juried exhibition, Iran, 2007

• Solo exhibition, Elahe Gallery, Iran, 2006

• Group illustration exhibition, Lale Gallery, Iran,2006

• Group illustration exhibition, Art Forum, juried exhibition, Iran, 2006, 2003

• Group drawing exhibition, Haft Samar Gallery, Iran, 2003

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Jury experience 

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• Tirgan Nowruz painting contest for children, Toronto, 2019

• The 13th “New star Cup” Canada International Children and Youth Creative Arts Exhibition, 2019  

• The 12th “New star Cup” Canada International Children and Youth Creative Arts Exhibition, 2018

• DOT International Illustration Competition, Iran, 2007, 2006, 2005 

 

ASSOCIATIONS

 

• Member of Canadian Society of Children's Authors, Illustrators and Performers

• Member of Cultural and Artistic Society of Iranian Illustrators 

• Member of The Institute for the Promotion of Visual Arts, Iran

• Member of Mural Routes, Canada

• Member of Artscape, Canada