The artworks presented in this collection are inspired by Persian gardens, which have been interwoven in Persian art and culture since ancient times, inspiring artists, poets, architects, and calligraphers.
Symbolizing paradise on earth, these courtyard gardens have been appreciated for thousands of years in towns and villages around the arid deserts of Persia. Passing through the garden gate, one enters an oasis with cool shade under a variety of fruit trees, fragrant flowers, and carefully designed pools and waterways with gently flowing water.
As with garden design, this collection is a contemplative act on paper, incorporating basic geometric shapes and a limited colour palette.
unconditional
Fariba Kalantari is a visual artist. She has a PhD in cell biology from McGill University. She has been a research scientist at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, NYC and McGill University Health Centre, Montreal. She is a self-educated artist working primarily with ink and acrylic, and has exhibited in several solo and group shows. She lives in East York, Ontario, and online at faribakalantari.com.
Awards / Exhibitions / Publications
2021
- Rotunda Gallery, Kitchener City Hall, solo exhibition, Pending (Covid-19) 2021
- Apexart, Jury Duty, International exhibition program, March- April 2021
- HeArt of healthCARE, group exhibition at virtual art gallery, April 2021
- Parliament of Ontario Legislative building, art a la carte exhibit, January 2020 - December 2021
- The Looking Glass Anthology, Volume II, Poetree Publications- South Africa, January 2021
2020
- Ontario Arts Council, exhibition assistant grant, February 2020
- Parliament of Ontario Legislative building, art a la carte exhibit, January 2020 - December 2021
- The Social Distancing Festival (Online, Covid-19 outbreak), Visual Arts, April 2020
- Mississauga Living Arts Centre, Tiny mighty heroes exhibition, January - June 2020
- Federation of Canadian Artists, Annual International Mail-in exhibition, May – June, 2020
- Pickering virtual artfest, Pickering, Ontario, May 2020
- Beaux arts gallery Brampton, Art keeps going virtual art exhibition, May 2020
2019
- Toronto Don Mills Public Library, solo exhibition, January 2019
- Art Room Gallery online, competition and exhibition, finalist, March 2019
- Contemporary Art Gallery online, competition and exhibition, winner (2nd place), April 2019
- Internationale d’art miniature, Lévis, QC, competition and exhibition, June - September 2019
- HAP (History + Art = Peace), juried art contest, honourable mention, July2019
- Guelph East Side Public Library, solo exhibition, August 2019
- Newmarket Old Town Hall, juried competition, winner sculpture award, October 2019
- Murze Magazine, Minimalism / Extinction, publication, issue nine, Nov - Dec 2019