Leila Zolfalipour
Leila Zolfalipour is a visual artist born in Iran and based in Edmonton, Alberta. Her work explores 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 earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Art and Design with distinction from the University of Alberta in 2024. She is a Juried Member of the Alberta Society of Artists, solidifying her presence in the professional arts community. Her work has been exhibited internationally, with notable showcases including Roots and Routes at the Stanley A. Milner Library (2024), Art on Loop at The Holy Art Gallery in London (2024), and the Culture Days Art Exhibit (2024). In 2025, ICAI and EAC featured her as their Artist of the Month and featured creator. Additionally, her work will be showcased on the Google Arts & Culture platform.
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 has received 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.
