Layers of Home

45x60 in. Oil on canvas. 2024.

Abstract

As an Iranian-Canadian artist, both Canada and Iran are integral parts of my identity. My paintings reflect the richness of multiculturalism in Canada, where diverse cultural elements coexist harmoniously. Instead of comparing the two cultures, I depict them as interconnected layers of my experience. The Canadian backyard represents my life in Canada, while bubbles highlight elements of my Iranian heritage—a rooster from Iran beside a Canadian dog, a Persian carpet in front of a red Adirondack chair, and a Persian garden pool alongside a Canadian lawn. These details symbolize the blending of cultures that shape my sense of belonging. For me, culture is about embracing the connections between where I come from and where I am now, allowing both to coexist and enrich one another.