About
When I came to Canada in 2011, I experienced a new land, new people and such cultural diversity for the first time. Immigrating to a new country allowed me to merge my artistic and architectural backgrounds. At age 37, I felt a childlike sense of curiosity and imagination. I began to ask myself, Who am I? What am I doing? And What do I want for my life?
Golnaz Khadivi zand
Born in 1974 in Iran,
Golnaz Khadivi Zand has enriched the global art scene with her perspective. Earning a Master’s degree in Architecture from Tehran's Azad University in 2001, she shared her knowledge as a faculty member at the Islamic Azad University of Mashhad until 2007. A pivotal move to Canada in 2011 marked a new chapter in her career, shifting her focus to painting.
Golnaz’s art eloquently captures the migration experience through a female lens, blending figurative art with rich symbolism. Deeply influenced by Persian culture and Rumi’s poetry, her work explores universal struggles with confinement and freedom. Her paintings use frames, threads, and curtains to symbolize physical and metaphorical barriers. These elements invite viewers to contemplate overlooked human conditions and histories, fostering a deeper understanding of personal and global narratives.
Her compelling works have been showcased in prestigious venues across Canada, Zurich, Spain, England, and Iran. Golnaz’s dedication and vision have led her to become an elected member of the Society of Canadian Artists (SCA), the Ontario Society of Artists (OSA), and the Colour and Form Society (CFS) in Canada. She is a self-employed artist and educator at Violet Art Studio in Toronto, where she continues to inspire and influence the art community.
Golnaz has participated in numerous exhibitions, receiving widespread recognition and accolades. In 2024, she was a finalist for the Mode Portrait 2023 at the MEAM Museum in Barcelona, Spain. She was featured in the Drawing 2023 Leonardo Catalogue, MEAM and participated in her painting in MEAM hall.
In 2023, Golnaz was a finalist at the Art Prize 2023 Exhibition at Boomer Gallery in London, UK.
Golnaz’s artistic journey includes numerous awards and recognitions, specifically in Canada, where she has received first place three times and best in the show. Her commitment to her craft is evident through her ongoing education at the Academy of Realist Art in Toronto and participation in workshops with renowned artists such as David Kassan.
As an elected member of prestigious art societies and an experienced educator, Golnaz contributes to the art community through her creative works and teaching. Her volunteer art workshops for Canadian newcomers demonstrate her dedication to fostering artistic growth and cultural exchange. She channels her creative spirit into her self-employed artist and educator role at Violet Art Studio, continuing to inspire and influence the art world.
CV
Golnaz Khadivi Zand (b. 1974 Tehran, Iran)
Currently based in Toronto, Canada
Exhibitions
2024 SCA Elected member Exhibition, Viva Vida Gallery, Quebec City, Honorable Mention Award
2024 Finalist of ModePortrait 2023. MEAM Museum, Barcelona, Spain
2024 CFS 72nd Open Juried Exhibition, CA, First Prize
2024 SCA 56th Juried Exhibition, CA, Honorable Mention Award,
2024, the Almenara online exhibition, Spain
2024 Drawing 2024 Catalog, John B. Aird Gallery, Toronto, CA
2024 Northern Vision, Canadian Art Daily, Online Exhibition
2024 “Keeping Dream Exhibition,” Dignam Gallery, Women Art Association of Canada (WAAC)
2024 Colour and Form Society Members’ Exhibition, Neilson Park Creative Centre Gallery, Toronto, CA (First Place award)
2023 The finalist of the Art Prize 2023 Exhibition, Boomer Gallery, London, UK
2023 Society of Canadian Artists, Elected Member Exhibition, Carre des Artistes Gallery, Montreal, CA
2023 Ontario Society of Artists Member exhibition “HOMEWARD'“, NPCC Gallery, Toronto, CA
2023 The Almenara Art Prize 2023 Online Exhibition, Spain
2023 SCA Open international online Juried exhibition, The top 25 artists, CA
2023 Academy of Realist Art Toronto Spring Exhibition, Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery, Toronto, CA
2023 Colour and Form Society Members’ Exhibition, Neilson Park Creative Centre Gallery, Toronto, CA ( Third Place Award)
2023 Open International Online Juried Exhibition, Society of Canadian Artists, CA
2023 The MEAM Hall, Third Edition, European Museum of Modern Art in Barcelona, Spain
2023 Colour and Form Society’s 70th Anniversary Members’ Exhibition, Joseph D. Carrier Gallery, Toronto, CA
2022 The Markham Group of Artists Windows Open, Markham, CA ( Best Show Award)
2022 On the Edge, 20th Annual International Exhibition and Competition, Federation of Canadian Artists, Vancouver, CA
2022 Reflection: Our Roots and Our Times, Colour and Form Society Member’s Exhibition, Baux Gallery Brampton, CA ( First Prize Award )
2022 Open International Online Juried Exhibition, Society of Canadian Artists, CA
2021 69th Annual Exhibition, Colour and Form Society, Etobicoke Civic Centre Art Gallery, Etobicoke, CA
2021 The Markham Group of Artists Windows Open, Markham, CA
2021 53th Open International Online Juried Exhibition, Society of Canadian Artists, CA
2021 Drawing 2021 Catalog, John B. Aird Gallery, Toronto, CA
2021 Richmond Hill Art Walk, Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts, Richmond Hill, CA
2021 First Artist of the Month Online Feature, IBEX Art Insiders Instagram
2021 Richmond Hill Art Walk, Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts, Richmond Hill, CA
2020 68th Annual Exhibition, Colour and Form Society, Toronto, CA
2019 The Markham Group of Artists Windows Open, Markham, CA
2019 Artbox Project SWISSARTEXPO, SBB event hall in Zurich's Train Station, Zurich, Switzerland
Awards
2024 Elected member Exhibition, Honorable Mention Award
2024 The Diplioma of ModePortrait 2023. MEAM Museum, Barcelona, Spain
2024 Semifinalist ARC and Selected Three works “ The Lunar Codex”
2024 First Prize, 72nd Open Juried Exhibition CFS
2024 SCA 56th Juried Exhibition, Honorable Mention Award,
2024 First Prize, Colour and Form Society Members’ Exhibition, Neilson Park Creative Centre Gallery, Toronto, CA
2023 The finalist of the Art Prize 2023 Boomer Gallery, London, UK
2023 Winner, Third Place, Colour and Form Society Members’ Exhibition, Neilson Park Creative Centre Gallery, Toronto, Canada
2023 Leonardo Catalogue, Third Edition, MEAM Hall, European Museum of Modern Art in Barcelona, Spain
2023 Special Mention, Colour and Form Society’s 70th Anniversary Members’ Exhibition, Joseph D. Carrier Gallery, Toronto, Canada
2022 Selected for the special edition of the ModPortrait 2022
2022 Best in Show Award, The Markham Group of Artists Windows Open, Markham, Canada
2022 Winner, First Place, Reflection: Our Roots and Our Times, Colour and Form Society Member’s Exhibition, Brampton, Canada
2020 Member Award, The Markham Group of Artists Windows Open, Markham, Canada
2020 Certificate of Artistic Achievement, Luxembourg Art Prize Certificate, Luxembourg
2020 Certificate of Acceptance, Artbox Project SWISSARTEXPO, Zurich, Switzerland
Education
2001 Masters in Architectural Engineering, Islamic Azad University, Central Tehran Branch, Iran
2013 General Arts — English for Academic Purposes (GEA), Seneca College, Toronto, Canada2023 David Kassan “Raven Painting Workshop “.
2021 Academy of Realist Art, Toronto, Canada
Enrolled in the academic painting and drawing curriculum in 2019, 2020, and 2021
In the Studios of Bouguereau and Portrait Drawing Workshop with Director and Principal Instructor Fernando Freitas
2019 Lucas Keratockwil Landscape Painting Certificate, Vancouver, Canada
Elected Memberships
Colour and Form Society (CFS)
Ontario Society of Artists (OSA)
Society of Canadian Artists (SCA)
Women Art of Canada (WAAC)
Teaching
2022 Volunteer Art Workshop for Canadian Newcomers, North York Community Centre, North York, Canada
2018 Present - Art Instructor, Violet Art Studio, Toronto, Canada
2001 - 2008 Instructor, Faculty of Art and Architecture, Islamic Azad University of Mashhad, Iran