BIOGRAPHY

Zahra is a painter, photographer, and art instructor based in Calgary, originally from Shiraz, Iran. Shemoved to Canada in 2018.

With over 35 years of artistic experience, she has worked across a variety of mediums, with oil and pastel as her specialties. Alongside her husband, renowned Iranian artist Gholamhossein Saber, Zahra co-founded the Ofogh Visual Arts Institute in Shiraz. As both instructor and director until 2018, she played an important role in helping the institute grow into one of Shiraz’s leading art schools. In 2007, the institute was recognized as the Best Visual Arts Institute in Iran.

Since relocating to Canada, Zahra has continued to share her passion for art through workshops, exhibitions, and teaching. Her work has been shown in numerous provincial and national exhibitions in Iran, as well as in galleries across Calgary. Her work has been featured at Arts Commons in Calgary (2022) and Three Sisters Gallery in Canmore (2023).

Landscapes remain central to Zahra’s practice. Deeply inspired by nature, she sees light and color as essential elements of her artistic expression, shaping the way she captures emotion and
atmosphere.

In 2022, Zahra was honored with Calgary’s Immigrant Distinction Award in Art & Culture, a recognition that continues to inspire her to grow and connect through her art.