Payam Pooyafar
Born in Rasht city in the North of Iran, Payam was very obsessed with drawing, painting and expressing himself visually since
childhood. From the age of 12, he spent his teenage years painting under supervision of the local masters in his city to study art and improve his painting skills in oil medium. After participating in local exhibitions, he decided to continue his journey self-taught to find his inner artist. Moving into Newfoundland, incredibly inspired by the nature and the unique culture in the east coast of Canada, he painted a lot of pieces loved by the locals which among them the most memorable piece was the one titled “The last Supper of Puffins”. His subject matters are extremely diverse and his style is mixture of classic masters playfulness with light hue composition with the touch of modern painters through art history involving Impressionism, expressive brush strokes. He is a very technical painter using broad techniques among which are heavy impasto glazing and sanding. Winning the Provincial Arts and Letters award for Senior Visual art in 2020, and the increasing demands for commissions, he gathered momentum and motivation to pick painting as one of his professional careers. He is currently living in Windsor Ontario working on his new body of works for his first solo exhibition.
Contact: payampooyafar@gmail.com
My artistic practice is deeply rooted in the act of painting itself, an elemental impulse that echoes the primal urge of early humans to leave their mark. I view creativity as an inherently human endeavor, a process through which we find solace, connection, and a sense of belonging to the world. Through art, I seek to transcend the ephemeral nature of existence, creating works that endure as a testament to the human spirit.
My work is driven by the interplay of light, hue, and mood, where subject matter serves as a vehicle for storytelling and emotional resonance. As a visual artist, I see myself as a craftsman on a lifelong journey toward mastery, honing my skills to create moments of kitsch—captivating slices of time that engage and hold the viewer’s attention. The process of creation itself is the true reward, a nurturing and fulfilling pursuit that continually shapes my practice and perspective.
Endurance in Rust
oil on canvas, 48” x 60”
This painting portrays the Ambassador Bridge, a steadfast link between Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit, Michigan, captured in a soft wash of blues and greys that mirror my early days in Windsor. Moving here was a challenging time as I adjusted to a new city and sought to find my place, often finding solace in walks along its banks. The bridge’s rusty, industrial form became a symbol of endurance for me, its weathered texture and muted tones reflecting the erosion of time. Through heavy impasto and expressive brushstrokes, I explore the delicate balance between decay and strength, fragility and resilience.
The misty atmosphere and reflective waters evoke a personal journey of renewal, as I found comfort in the bridge’s quiet fortitude. This work is my way of weaving light and mood into a narrative of endurance, inviting viewers to see the beauty in its aged structure and the strength that persists beneath the surface.