CV

BIO

Golnaz Khadivi Zand is an artist originally from Iran, now based in Toronto, Canada. She has a master’s degree in Architecture from Azad University of Tehran in 2001and taught at the Islamic Azad University of Mashhad, Iran from 2001-2007. After numerous awards in the field of architecture and moving to Canada in 2011, she focused her creative energy on painting. Her work explores the experience of migration from a female perspective through the creation of large scale figurative paintings employing symbolism. Her work has been exhibited in Toronto, Zurich, Luxembourg and Iran. Khadivi’s murals can be found in Henderson.P.S, Thornhill. She is currently self-employed as an artist and runs and instructs at Violet Art Studio.

Artist Statement

Immigration is one of the most important issues in our world today.  As a painter and an immigrant to Canada, I want to portray the struggles and concerns that immigrant women face. I do this in my work by combining the personal with the societal through imagery that recalls surrealism and is painted in a naturalistic manner

I was educated in the Middle East with the beliefs, values, traditions and culture unique to Iran.  Yet, no matter what country one emigrates from, these are like the contents of a suitcase that one carries throughout their life in a new country. In entering a new land, far from home, I recognize that I have not been able to leave these behind, despite the opportunities that immigration gave me.

The experience of migration led me to question my identity. I use my daughter as the model in these works as a way to consider the differences between my generation and life experience and hers. Iran’s restrictions on women are in great contrast with the freedom my daughter knows in Canada and the future that awaits her is beyond my own experience.

This introspection has led me towards the symbolism of Surrealist and Expressionist artists like Salvador Dali, Andre Breton and Chiharu Shiota, as well as Persian philosophical poets like Rumi and Hafez. In this new series of paintings, I use the image of the frame to portray the idea of limitations, both individual and contextual. Each painting, in this series of six, shows a woman holding a frame. The last planned piece in this cycle will depict the breaking of the frame as a way to symbolize human freedom and flight. In these paintings, I try to reflect on myself in both a personal way and in relation to society. In this series, I draw attention to my homeland, and also to my new home in Canada. For example, I use the Persian carpet as it references Iran and symbolizes heaven on the earth. I feel unable to fully find home in this new place and so this carpet from my homeland is not laid fully flat upon the ground.

Golnaz Khadivi zand

Exhibition :

  • 2021 The first artist of the month in Ibex art insiders ( Facebook) Ibex_ collection ( Instagram)
  • 2021  Drawing Exhibition    John B.Aird Gallery    Toronto
  • 2020  68th Annual Exhibition    Colour and Form Society
  • 2020  Windows Open    Markham Group of Artists    Markham
  • 2020  Artbox Project    Swiss Art Expo    Zurich 
  • 2020  Luxemburg Art Prize  Luxembourg (certificate)
  • 2020  Richmondhill group of Artist  Richmond Hill  

Education:

  • 2001 Mater degree in Architectural engineer at islamic azad university Central Tehran Branch Faculty of ART & ARCHITECTURE
  • 2013 General Art-English for Academic Purposes Seneca college Toronto

Experience:

  • 2020   Member    Markham Artist Group    Markham
  • 2020 Member IBEX ART Insiders Facebook
  • 2019  Mural    Henderson Public School    Toronto
  • 2017  Mural    Henderson Public School    Toronto
  • 2018  Art Instructor     Violet Art Studio    Toronto
  • 2001 – 8 Instructor of university Facalty of art and architecture of Islamic Azad university of Mashhad
  • 2000 – 11   Vice President    Iranshahr Architectural Consulting   Mashhad Iran
  • 2000 – 11   Vice President    Iranshahr Architectural Consulting   Mashhad, Iran

Certificate:

  • 2020  Academy of Realist Art Certificate Portrait Painting Toronto    
  • 2020  Academy of Realist Art Certificate Still Life Painting Toronto  
  • 2019  Academy of Realist Art Certificate portrait drawing Toronto
  • 2020  Lucas Keratockwil Landscape Painting Vancouver  
  • 2020  Luxemburg Art Prize  Luxembourg 2020  Artbox Project    Swiss Art Expo    Zurich 

   

 Skills:

  • Professional oil painting
  • professional acrylic painting
  • Professional Colour pencil
  • mural painting
  • Drawing
  • Mix media
  • Ceramic