Farshid Shafiee, born in Tehran in 1969, is one of Iran’s most renowned picture book illustrators. He studied graphic design and animation in his hometown and has served as an editor and art director for various magazines and publishers. His impressive portfolio includes over fifty children’s picture books, more than thirty book covers, and four animated short films. Notably, his film My Dad’s Car (2000) received a special prize at the International Festival for Animation in Tehran in 2001.
Deeply inspired by his Persian heritage, Shafiee views his art as a tribute to Iran’s rich culture and 11,000-year history. His illustrations draw from traditional myths and legends, contemporary Iranian fairy tales, and the everyday lives of children in modern-day Iran. Combining Middle Eastern artistic traditions with modern aesthetics, Shafiee transforms picture books into vibrant works of art. His warm color palettes and poetic elegance bring themes like love, freedom, and happiness to life.
Shafiee’s work demonstrates incredible versatility, adapting style and materials to suit the tone of each story. In Farshid (2003, by Mahdot Kashkuli), he uses computer graphics, black outlines, and earthy tones to depict a boy’s daily life, while other works burst with vivid gouache and acrylic paintings. His illustrations range from mystical, shadowy settings to vibrant explosions of color, as seen in Shahrzâd (2002), a retelling of One Thousand and One Nights by Faridah Khal’atbaris. Shafiee’s compositions often break linear conventions, with figures, shadows, and lettering merging seamlessly.
His talents have earned him numerous accolades, including the Runner-Up Award at the 13th Noma Concours (2002) and the Golden Apple at the 21st Biennial for Illustration in Bratislava (2006) for his picture book Peiwand. Shafiee’s work has been exhibited internationally in countries such as China, Denmark, Italy, Japan, Croatia, and Slovakia.
Most recently, Farshid Shafiee participated in the International Illustrators’ Forum 2024 in Tokyo, where he unveiled his latest work, The Dreaming Phoenix, a mesmerizing fusion of Persian mythology and contemporary storytelling. His new masterpiece received widespread acclaim for its innovative designs and heartfelt narrative.
On behalf of IGDN, its president extends heartfelt congratulations to Farshid Shafiee for his continued artistic brilliance and wishes him all the best in his future endeavors. His legacy continues to inspire and enrich the world of illustration. Shafiee lives with his family in Tehran.
Your request has been submitted successfully.
