ROJINA FARROKHNEJAD

Rojina Farrokhnejad a Vancouver-based multidisciplinary artist, creates evocative works that explore the complexities of the human condition through a fusion of personal history, cultural heritage, and artistic exploration. Born in Iran to renowned painter and educator Roudsari, Rojina’s artistic journey is fueled by her father's legacy and his final words to her before succumbing to leukemia: "Paint more." Fleeing Iran amidst political turmoil, "A" carried her father's artistic spirit and teachings, finding refuge and creative expression in Canada.

Immigrating in 2003, she honed her skills at Emily Carr University. She developed a distinctive style characterized by a masterful blending of figurative and abstract elements, echoing her father's early lessons on anatomy and form. Her work, often incorporating mythological figures, delves into the darker side of human nature, revealing the complexities of memory, metamorphosis, and the weight of personal and cultural histories. Inspired by artists such as Francis Bacon and Alberto Giacometti, Farrokhnejad eschews traditional realism in favour of a more experimental approach that plumbs the psychological depths of her subjects.

Her recent solo exhibition, "Gods and Monsters," held at Vancouver's esteemed SUM gallery, showcased the breadth of her artistic vision. Through a series of reimagined mythological figures rendered in paint, clay, and the moving image, Farroknejad invited viewers to confront the timeless themes of love, loss, desire, and rage that have captivated artists and audiences for millennia. Notably, her video work "Refuge from the Dark," which accompanied her sculptures in the exhibition, garnered critical acclaim and earned her a nomination for the prestigious 2025 Philip B. Lind Emerging Artist Prize.