MARJAN KAVIANI Selected Works
MARJAN KAVIANI’S CONTRADICTION
Since early 2021 I have followed the work of Marjan Kaviani with interest. There is a monumental quality to her paintings that is belied by her personal modesty and quietness. As a painter, she seems to know nothing other than this: this grand scale in contemplating a human mortality in which she understands that history treats ordinary families as meat.
But this is carried in her works with such nobility and humbleness, limiting her breadth of colour, tonal range and content to the bare essential minimum. I smell a quiet greatness, and have from the beginning.
Edward Povey
June 2025
Back, hands
Oil on canvas, 2025. 22 X 20 in | 55.9 X 50.8 cm
Hair, hand
Oil on Belgian linen, 2025. 22 X 20 in | 55.9 X 50.8 cm
Leg, shoulder, head
Oil on Belgian linen, 2025 22 X 20 in | 55 9 X 50 8 cm
Chest, elbow
Oil on Belgian linen, 2025. 22 X 20 in | 55.9 X 50.8 cm
Torso, hand
Oil on Belgian linen, 2025. 22 X 20 in | 55.9 X 50.8 cm
Chest, shoulder
Oil on Belgian linen, 2025. 22 X 20 in | 55.9 X 50.8 cm
Legs, feet
Oil on Belgian linen, 2025 22 X 20 in | 55 9 X 50 8 cm
Hands
Oil on Belgian linen, 2025. 22 X 20 in | 55.9 X 50.8 cm
Tendere Oil and charcoal on canvas, 2024. 60 X 48 in | 152.4 X 121.92 cm
on canvas, 2023. 72 X 52 in | 182.88 X
Isfahan
Back, hands 2025
Oil on canvas, 22 X 20 in | 55.9 X 50.8 cm
Hair , hand 2025
Oil on Belgian linen, 22 X 20 in | 55.9 X 50.8 cm
le g, shoulder , head 2025
Oil on Belgian linen, 22 X 20 in | 55.9 X 50.8 cm
chest, elb ow 2025
Oil on Belgian linen, 22 X 20 in | 55.9 X 50.8 cm
torso,
hand 2025
Oil on Belgian linen, 22 X 20 in | 55.9 X 50.8 cm
chest, shoulder 2025
Oil on Belgian linen, 22 X 20 in | 55.9 X 50.8 cm
le gs, feet 2025
Oil on Belgian linen, 22 X 20 in | 55.9 X 50.8 cm
on Belgian linen, 22 X 20 in | 55.9 X 50.8 cm
Hands 2025
Oil
t endere 2024
Oil and charcoal on canvas, 60 X 48 in | 152.4 X 121.92 cm
Oil on canvas, 72 X 52 in | 182.88 X 132.08 cm
Installation view (right)
Isfahan 2023
Marjan Kaviani
b. 2002, Toronto, ON | works between Guelph and Tiny, ON
Education
2024
BAH Studio Art (Painting) Psycholog y minor University of Guelph
2020
Claude Watson Arts Program Visual Art
Solo and Two-person Exhibitions
2025
Three Seconds, Rotunda Gallery, Kitchener City Hall, Kitchener, ON
2024
Fragments, Guelph Arts Council, Guelph, ON
2023
Dreamt on a Collective Journey, Guelph Civic Museum, Guelph, ON Whispers and Decay, Zavitz Gallery, Guelph, ON
2022
In Solemn Silence, Homer Watson House & Gallery, Kitchener, ON Continuation, Ashlar Gallery, Boarding House Arts, Guelph, ON In Silence, Zavitz Gallery, Guelph, ON
2021
Somnial, Ashlar Gallery Boarding House Arts, Guelph, ON
Selected Group Exhibitions
2026 (Upcoming)
Ten by Ten, Ten by Ten Gallery, Boarding House Arts, Guelph, ON
2024
Spilled Beans & Spoiled Milk, Lalani Jennings Contemporary Art, Guelph, ON Top Ten Show, Zavitz Gallery, Guelph, ON
2023
New Noise, Project Space, Guelph, ON Sight Unseen, Lalani Jennings Contemporary Art, Guelph, ON Top Ten Show, Zavitz Gallery, Guelph, ON
2022
A Sky Mix, Ashlar Gallery, Boarding House Gallery, Guelph, ON Last Call, Boarding House Gallery, RBC mentorship program, Guelph, ON Beyond Words, (University of Guelph Selection), Elora Centre for the Arts, Elora, ON
Fairs
2024
The Artist Project (University of Guelph Selection), Better Living Center, Toronto, ON Residencies (upcoming)
2026
Vermont Studio Center, Johnson, VT (Jan 19 - Feb 6) Pouch Cove Foundation, Pouch Cove, NL (April 1 - June 30)
Awards & Grants
2025
The Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation Grant
Vermont Full Fellowship Award Based on Merit, Vermont Studio Center
Exhibition Assistance Grant, Ontario Arts Council 2024
Directors award, University of Guelph
8th Place, 56th Juried Art Show, University of Guelph
2023
Exhibition Assistance Grant, Ontario Arts Council
Activating Art Micro Grant, Guelph Arts Council
The David Clark Bursary (Painting), University of Guelph
Studio Arts Specialized Studio Practice Scholarship, University of Guelph
3rd Place Winner, 55th Juried Art Show, University of Guelph
Painting Department Award, University of Guelph
2022
The David Clark Bursary (Painting), University of Guelph
The Jane Graham Memorial Award, Guelph Arts Council
Honourable Mention, 54th Juried Art Show University of Guelph
Second Place Winner, 54th Junior Juried Art Show University of Guelph
2021
First Place Winner, 53rd Junior Juried Art Show University of Guelph
2020
Sadie Marison Award Nominee for Visual Art, Claude Watson Arts Program
