GHAZALEH RASTGAR

Ghazaleh Rastgar (aka Ghazaraza) is a Toronto-based, award-winning multidisciplinary artist originally from Shiraz, Iran. After earning a Bachelor of Design from OCAD University, she worked in corporate roles before transitioning to a career as a full-time artist.

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Drawing inspiration from the natural world, the human body, and emotional experiences, Rastgar’s work examines the complexities of love, self-acceptance, and identity, often reflecting on her experience as an Iranian woman.

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Rastgar’s practice spans illustration, painting, GIFs, and murals. She is a member of Moonlight Murals Collective, a trio of artists known for creating vibrant street art across Toronto.

Collaboration is central to Rastgar’s practice. She frequently partners with artists and community groups on street art projects and public activations as an artist, or curating and coordinating initiatives for Luminato, StreetARToronto, TIFF, and Toronto BIAs.

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Rastgar has exhibited extensively, including at the Paris Museum of Modern Art, Isza Gallery, Hashtag Gallery,and NYC’s Society of Illustrators, with solo exhibitions or public art activations at Harbourfront Centre, Cancun Mural Festival, and the Living Arts Centre. Notable private commissions include Banu Restaurant’s 'Mural for Iran Revolution' and a sculptural mural for the Lavazza IncluCity Festival in Toronto’s Distillery District.

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Her artwork has been featured in publications such as Il Fatto Quotidiano, ‘Art for Iran’, Euronews’ ‘Woman Life Freedom,’ CBC Arts, HuffPost, and Haaretz. She has received Emerging Artist Grants from the Ontario Arts Council and Toronto Arts Council, as well as awards from American Illustration and the Ontario Film Review Board.

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Rastgar’s work has been collected extensively proving her growing impact in contemporary art. Micak Contemporary is thrilled to present a selection of thought-provoking pieces from this emerging and bold new voice in the Canadian art scene.