Leila Zolfalipour

ASA

Biography

Leila Zolfalipour is a visual artist born in Iran and based in Edmonton, Alberta. Her work explores themes of identity, cultural heritage, multiculturalism, and our connection to the natural world. Through painting, sculpture, and digital media, she reinterprets Persian motifs and weaving traditions, particularly focusing on the untold stories of women who historically created intricate Persian carpets but remained unrecognized.

Leila received a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Art and Design with distinction from the University of Alberta in 2024, and has presented her work internationally, with notable exhibitions including Roots and Routes at the Stanley A. Milner Library (2024), Art on Loop at The Holy Art Gallery in London (2024), Culture Days Art Exhibit (2024). In 2025, her work will be featured on the Google Arts & Culture platform through the Immigrant Council for Arts Innovation (ICAI).

With two decades of experience in Fine arts, Leila Zolfalipour integrates Persian carpet motifs and natural materials such as wood and clay sourced from the Canadian landscape. This fusion of cultural symbolism and organic elements highlights the interconnectedness of heritage, place, and identity, reflecting how traditions evolve and intertwine the histories of both the past and present.

Leila is the recipient of several awards, including the EAC Individual grant, the Elizabeth Ann Burgess Award in Contemporary Arts (2023, 2024) and the Culture Days Festival Art Exhibit People’s Choice Award (2024). As a juried member of the Alberta Society of Artists and a member of CARFAC Alberta, she is dedicated to fostering dialogue on cultural appreciation, resilience, and belonging through her art.

Artist Statement

My work explores themes of identity, cultural heritage, and our connection to the natural world. As an artist born in Iran and now living in Edmonton, I draw from both cultures, creating pieces that reflect my journey between these two worlds. This blend of influences is central to my practice, allowing me to explore how cultures intertwine, influence, and shape one another.

A key focus of my work is the representation of natural landscapes and Persian carpets, both of which symbolize tradition, craftsmanship, and the passage of time. Persian carpets hold a deep significance, not only as works of art but as vessels for stories and histories that are often left untold. I am particularly moved by the untold stories of the women who wove these intricate carpets—women whose labour and creativity have remained largely unrecognized. Through my paintings, sculptures, and digital works, I aim to honour their artistry, giving voice to their contributions and shedding light on the cultural legacies they helped preserve.

Incorporating materials such as wood, clay, and mud sourced from the Canadian landscape and my Persian heritage, along with resource photographs, speaks to the deep connection we have to the land, reminding us of our roots and how they shape who we are and evoke the intersection of personal history and collective experience.

Through my work, I hope to inspire conversations about multiculturalism, resilience, and the shared human experience. I invite viewers to reflect on how cultural traditions, both old and new, shape our sense of identity, belonging, and connection to the world around us. My art serves as a reminder that our identities are not static but are constantly evolving and adapting, influenced by the places we come from and the places we now call home.