Maryam Hafizirad

Maryam Hafizirad is a Deaf Canadian Persian painter and sculptor. Graduate of Isfahan University of Fine Arts (2002) with her first exhibition at age 18 in Iran, her award-winning solo and group exhibitions have been featured in Iran, China, Germany, Malaysia, India & Canada. Maryam’s Persian classical early works were dark in subject and colour. When she moved to Malaysia and settled in Canada, her work transformed. She began painting bright Persian and Deaf View Image Art (De’VIA) metaphors with acrylic, crushed coloured glass and watercolour - using symbols of her Persian and Deaf identity - pomegranates (symbols of hidden love released) fish in water (sincere human beings in her silent world of pure beauty) and birds (embodying freedom). The third phase of her work fuses these symbols in large mixed media installation experiences with ceramic, colourful, glazed sculptures, handshapes and large eyes affirming her Deaf identity, graceful language, quiet strength and life itself. Studio artist, art curator and art teacher, Maryam is recipient of numerous arts awards in Iran and Canada and recipient of numerous arts grants for her professional artistry in both painting and sculpture.

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