Red Head Gallery

View Original

Sheida Shakarian (Mississauga, ON)

A Little Folded Note: This Place and The Next, 2022. Digital 19 1/2 x 17”.

Bio

I’m an illustrator with a passion for expressing the human experience through humour and narrative-based visuals. I love any form of creativity that evokes a feeling of nostalgia. I’ve worked as a photoshoot producer, graphic designer and illustrator and despite my deep interest and admiration for all creative fields, I always find myself drawn back to the world of illustration.

I’m based just outside of Toronto but was born and raised in Iran. The unwavering humour of the Iranian people as a form of coping mechanism during hardships has influenced much of my character and creative work as an illustrator.

Artist Statement

All of my memories have within them, both in the foreground and background, the presence of friends, family, colleagues and even strangers. There isn't a single feeling or experience I've had that doesn't somehow bear the imprint of other people. When I look back at my work, I realize what I’m attempting to recreate is the warmth and familiarity of those shared moments. 

When I was protesting in Iran, what I remember vividly is the woman who shielded me from the brutality of the military. When I was cry laughing, I remember looking at my friend whose facial expression started it. When I was feeling deeply depressed and lonely, I remember finding solace in the words of strangers. Consequently, in nearly all my illustrations, interactions and narratives unfold among the characters, reflecting the collaborative tapestry of my experiences. This interpersonal dynamic inherently shapes the themes within my work.

Website

Instagram

< BACK TO GET NOTICED