BIOGRAPHY

Mahnaz Piroozfar is a Toronto-based artist. Born in Tehran, Iran she received her BFA from the University of Tehran after receiving her diploma from Fine Art High School. In her work, Mahnaz often incorporates techniques from traditional Persian painting into contemporary styles to invent a new language for the expression of her work.
Ever since moving to Canada with her family in 2002, Mahnaz has been inspired by the Canadian landscape through the different seasons. She uses her background in watercolour painting to portray these sceneries and letting it affect her formal language at the same time.
When Mahnaz is not painting, she is passing on her knowledge through teaching painting at Central Montessori Schools and Parya Trillium Foundation. She continues to explore, learn, and develop new ways of expression through the visual language.

EDUCATION


2007                   Early Childhood Education Diploma, Centennial College, Toronto (CA)             

2005                   English for Academic Purposes Certificate, Centennial College, Toronto (CA)

1991                     Bachelor of Fine Arts, Tehran Fine Art University, Tehran (IR)

1983                    Advanced Diploma, Institute of Fine Art, Tehran (IR)


SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS


2012                        Celebration of Nowrooz, Parya Trillium Foundation, Toronto (CA)

2010                        Cultural Art Show, Arta Gallery, Toronto (CA)

1990                        Persian Miniature Painting Show, Laleh Hotel, Tehran (IR)

1997                       Persian Painting Exhibition, Andisheh Art Centre, Tehran (IR)

2000                        Iranian Traditional Arts, Ferdous Garden Cultural Centre, Tehran (IR)

2002                        Persian Painting Exhibition, Marefat Cultural Civic Centre, Tehran (IR)


SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS

 
2019                         Don Valley Art Club Group Exhibition, Papermill Gallery, Toronto (CA)

2018                         Don Valley Art Club Spring Show, Todmorden Mills Heritage Site,

                                 Toronto (CA)

                                 Heintzman House Group Exhibition, Heintzman House, Toronto (CA)

2010                         Nowrooz Art Show, Queen Gallery, Toronto (CA)

2009                         Women’s Group Show, Arta Gallery, Toronto (CA)

                                 International d’art Miniature Exhibition, Hotel de Ville, Quebec (CA)

2008                         Summer Artists Show, Parya Trillium Foundation, Toronto (CA)

2007                         International d’art Miniature Exhibition, Hotel de Ville, Quebec (CA)

2005                        Under the Azure Dome Festival, Harbourfront Centre, Toronto (CA)

                                 International d’art Miniature Exhibition, Hotel de Ville, Quebec (CA)

2004                         I.C.N Group Exhibition, Sheraton Hotel, Toronto (CA)

2003                        Group Show, Iranian Women’s Organization of Ontario, Toronto (CA)

2001                         Women’s Art Exhibition, Andisheh Art Center, Tehran (IR)

2000                         Iranian Traditional Arts, Ferdous Garden Cultural Centre, Tehran (IR)

1999                        Group Art Show, Marefat Cultural Civic Centre, Tehran (IR)

1997                         Women’s Arts Festival, Andishe Art Centre, Tehran (IR)

1989                         Persian Painting Biennale, Tehran’s Museum of Contemporary Art,                                  Tehran (IR)

1984                         Persian Painting Exhibition, Niavaran Cultural Centre, Tehran (IR)


AWARDS & MEMBERSHIPS


2018-current        Participating Artist at Don Valley Art Club, Toronto (CA)

2011-2015               Participating Artist at Nami Iranian Canadian Centre for the Arts,                                                  Toronto (CA)

1997                         Women’s Art Festival in Iranian Traditional Painting (First Prize),
                                 Tehran (IR)


PUBLICATIONS


2013                        20+1 Exhibition Catalogue, Nami Iranian Canadian Centre for the Arts,
                                 Toronto (CA)

1999                         Book Cover: Poems of Baba Taher Hamedani, Mahtab Publishing,
                                  Tehran (IR)


TEACHING & PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE


2008-current            Art Teacher, Central Montessori Schools, Toronto (CA)

2008-current            Art Instructor, Parya Trillium Foundation, Toronto (CA)

2007-2008               Art Instructor,  Pascal Academy, Toronto (CA)

2002-2007                Art Teacher, Private Drawing & Painting Sessions,  Toronto, (CA)

1999-2002                Art Instructor, Private Painting Classes,  Tehran (CA)

2003                          Art Instructor, Iranian Women’s Organization of Ontario Centre,
                                      Toronto (CA)

1998-2002              Program Coordinator & Art Instructor, Marefat Cultural Civic Centre,
                                     Tehran (IR)

1983-1984                Art Instructor, Institute for the Intellectual Development of Children &
                                   Young Adults, Tehran (IR)