About
When I came to Canada in 2011, I experienced a new land, new people, and a level of 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?
Born: 1974, Tehran, Iran
Based in: Toronto, Canada
Golnaz Khadivi Zand (b. 1974, Tehran, Iran) is an Iranian-Canadian figurative realism painter whose work explores cultural memory, migration, identity, and the human experience through a deeply symbolic and personal lens. Based in Toronto, Canada, her practice bridges Eastern and Western traditions, drawing inspiration from Persian culture, Rumi’s poetry, and the lived experience of displacement and transformation.
Golnaz holds a Master’s degree in Architecture from Azad University in Tehran (2001) and taught in the Faculty of Art and Architecture at Islamic Azad University of Mashhad before immigrating to Canada in 2011. At 37, she turned to painting with fresh curiosity and emotional depth, gradually transforming her architectural background into a distinctive visual language. Her work incorporates recurring motifs such as frames, threads, curtains, and layered imagery that symbolize psychological boundaries, cultural constraints, and the universal search for freedom and belonging. These elements invite viewers to engage with both intimate personal narratives and shared human experiences.
Golnaz’s work has been exhibited internationally in Canada, Spain, England, Switzerland, and Iran, and has received recognition in major juried exhibitions. She was a finalist in the ModePortrait exhibition at the MEAM Museum in Barcelona, 2023. Her paintings have also been featured in respected publications and exhibition catalogues. Most recently, she was awarded the Chairman’s Choice Award at the 18th International ARC Salon Competition 2026, a significant international honour recognizing artistic excellence within contemporary realism.
She is an elected member of the Society of Canadian Artists (SCA), the Ontario Society of Artists (OSA), and the Colour and Form Society (CFS). In 2025, she was invited to serve as a juror for the SCA’s In the Open International Exhibition.
Alongside her studio practice, Golnaz is a dedicated educator. She teaches at Violet Art Studio in Toronto and leads workshops that encourage artistic development and cultural dialogue. She continues to refine her practice through advanced studies, including training with the Academy of Realist Art and international master classes.
Through painting, teaching, and curatorial engagement, Golnaz contributes a thoughtful and resonant voice to contemporary realism, reflecting resilience, memory, and hope across cultures.
CV
Toronto, Canada
Figurative Realism Painter | Educator | Juror
EXHIBITION:
2026
. The Chairman’s Choice Award at “the 18th International ARC Salon Competition.”
2025
. Annual Exhibition Academy of Realist Art (ARA), Joseph D Carrier Art Gallery
57th Juried Exhibition, Society of Canadian Artists (SCA)
Portrait Society of Canada, Self portrait competion on line Exhibition 2025
SCA Elected Members Exhibition, Dignam Gallery
73rd Open Juried Exhibition, Colour and Form Society (CFS), Helson Gallery, Georgetown, ON
Portraits 2025, John B. Aird Gallery, Toronto
Open National Juried Exhibition, Federation of Canadian Artists (FCA Toronto) — First Prize
2024
Elected Members’ Exhibition, SCA, Viva Vida Gallery, Quebec City — Honourable Mention
ModePortrait 2023, MEAM Museum, Barcelona, Spain — Finalist
72nd Open Juried Exhibition, Colour and Form Society (CFS), Toronto — First Prize
56th Juried Exhibition, SCA — Honourable Mention
Keeping Dream Exhibition, Dignam Gallery, Women’s Art Association of Canada (WAAC), Toronto
Drawing 2024, John B. Aird Gallery, Toronto
Members’ Exhibition, CFS, Neilson Park Creative Centre, Toronto — First Place
Northern Vision, Canadian Art Daily, Online Exhibition
Almenara Online Exhibition, Spain
2023
Art Prize 2023, Boomer Gallery, London, UK — Finalist
Elected Members’ Exhibition, SCA, Carre des Artistes Gallery, Montreal
HOMEWARD, Ontario Society of Artists (OSA), NPCC Gallery, Toronto
Open International Juried Exhibition, SCA — Top 25 Artists
Spring Exhibition, Academy of Realist Art Toronto, Joseph D. Carrier Gallery
Members’ Exhibition, CFS, Neilson Park Creative Centre, Toronto — Third Place
Leonardo Catalogue, Third Edition, MEAM Museum, Barcelona, Spain
70th Anniversary Members’ Exhibition, CFS, Joseph D. Carrier Gallery, Toronto — Special Mention
Almenara Online Exhibition, Spain
2022
Windows Open, Markham Group of Artists, Markham — Best in Show
On the Edge, 20th Annual International Exhibition, Federation of Canadian Artists (FCA), Vancouver
Reflection: Our Roots and Our Times, CFS Members’ Exhibition, Brampton — First Prize
Open International Online Juried Exhibition, SCA
2021 and Earlier
Drawing 2021, John B. Aird Gallery, Toronto
53rd Open International Juried Exhibition, SCA
Annual Members’ Exhibitions, Colour and Form Society (2019–2021)
Richmond Hill Art Walk, Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts (2021)
Windows Open, Markham Group of Artists (2019–2021)
Artbox Project SWISSARTEXPO, Zurich, Switzerland (2019)
Awards & Recognition
2025 — First Prize, Open National Juried Exhibition, FCA Toronto
2024 — Honourable Mention, Elected Members’ Exhibition, SCA, Quebec
2024 — Honourable Mention, 56th Juried Exhibition, SCA
2024 — Diploma of Finalist, ModePortrait 2023, MEAM Museum, Barcelona, Spain
2024 — Semi-finalist, ARC International Salon — three works selected for The Lunar Codex
2024 — First Prize, 72nd Open Juried Exhibition, CFS, Toronto
2024 — First Prize, Members’ Exhibition, CFS, Neilson Park, Toronto
2023 — Finalist, Art Prize 2023, Boomer Gallery, London, UK
2023 — Third Place, Members’ Exhibition, CFS, Neilson Park, Toronto
2023 — Special Mention, 70th Anniversary Members’ Exhibition, CFS, Toronto
2023 — Selected Artist, Leonardo Catalogue, Third Edition, MEAM Museum, Barcelona
2022 — Best in Show, Windows Open, Markham Group of Artists, Markham, Canada
2022 — First Prize, Reflection: Our Roots and Our Times, CFS Members’ Exhibition, Brampton
2022 — Selected Artist, Special Edition of ModPortrait 2022
2020 — Member Award, Windows Open, Markham Group of Artists, Markham, Canada
2020 — Certificate of Artistic Achievement, Luxembourg Art Prize, Luxembourg
2020 — Certificate of Acceptance, Artbox Project SWISSARTEXPO, Zurich, Switzerland
2019 — Certificate of Acceptance, Artbox Project SWISSARTEXPO, Zurich, Switzerland
Education & Professional Development
2001 — Master’s in Architectural Engineering, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
2013 — General Arts, Seneca College, Toronto, Canada
2019–2021 — Academic Painting & Drawing Curriculum, Academy of Realist Art, Toronto
2025 — Juror, In the Open International Exhibition, SCA
Workshops & Masterclasses
David Kassan — Raven Painting Workshop (2023)
Fernando Freitas — In the Studios of Bouguereau, Portrait Drawing Workshop (2020)
Lucas Keratockwil — Landscape Painting Certificate, Vancouver (2019)
Professional Memberships
Society of Canadian Artists (SCA) — Elected Member
Ontario Society of Artists (OSA) — Member
Colour and Form Society (CFS) — Elected Member
Teaching Experience
2018 – Present — Art Instructor, Violet Art Studio, Toronto, Canada
2025 _Colour Theory & Flower Painting Workshop, Violet Art Studio
2022 — Volunteer Workshop Leader, Canadian Newcomers Program, North York Community Centre
2001 – 2008 — Instructor, Faculty of Art & Architecture, Islamic Azad University of Mashhad, Iran