This CBC Arts logo pays tribute to Women's History Month

Every month, we feature a new take on the CBC Arts logo created by a Canadian artist. Check out the previous designs.

"I love using bright colours," says Ghazaleh Rastgar, a multidisciplinary artist who's brought her vibrant vision to walls — and roads and lampposts and utility boxes — all around Toronto. But today, she's helping us step into October with a fresh logo design, her colourful tribute to Women's History Month. Discover what inspired the concept, and how it connects to all the work she creates.

Name: Ghazaleh Rastgar
Homebase: Toronto
 
Let's talk about your design! What inspired the concept?

As October is Women's History Month in Canada, I wanted to create a design that celebrates women and the strength they have had throughout history to endure many hardships and flourish despite all odds. Women are truly a force of nature and the balancing force in our world. My design celebrates women by depicting a nurturing goddess archetype that I believe every woman is.

As an artist, you're often drawn to making work about women and women's issues. Why is that?

I was born and raised in Iran where women's rights are explicitly suppressed and nearly non-existent. Moving to Canada was a great blessing and a privilege, but of course after paying closer attention it became apparent that sexism still exists in the developed world, only more subtly. It's sometimes harder to pinpoint. 

Regardless, my goal has been to take advantage of this freedom — to create art that expresses my own experiences as a woman and explores my own twist on feminism through subjects such as love, freedom, sex and spirituality.

What's the project you're most proud of?

I would have to say I'm most proud that I managed to keep my creativity flowing during quarantine, working on five medium-size paintings on the same theme. I also had a month-long vitrine exhibition at the end of 2020.

I had a very rough time in isolation, and making art really saved me. I'm proud of pushing myself even though I felt neither creative nor driven. 

Any new projects that you can tell us about? What are you working on these days?

Currently I'm preparing to paint a window mural in partnership with the Junction BIA. I will also be creating an animation based on this artwork, which will be viewable using an augmented-reality app. I'm excited to be combining my skills for this project.

What's your favourite place to see art?

Nature is where I feel most inspired, but besides that, I would say online art journals and any local shows I find interesting. There is also a whole lot of beautiful street art in Toronto that one can discover just by walking around downtown.

Who's the last artist you discovered online?

Danae Brissonnet.

What work of art do you wish you owned?

I would love to own any work done by the great art deco artist Erté.

Where can we see more from you?

On Instagram (@ghazaraza) or my website: www.ghazaraza.ca.

This conversation has been edited and condensed.