University of the Fraser Valley artist Faria Firoz has overcome many obstacles on the way to receiving the Lieutenant Governor’s Medal in recognition of her art and social advocacy. Leaving home in Bangladesh five years ago, adapting to the cultural differences in Canada, and finding the strength and courage to advocate for social justice are all hallmarks of her emergence as an artist.
Firoz graduated from UFV in 2021 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. She thinks her double extended minors in Visual Arts and Graphic Design complement each other very well, and together create a strong foundation for Firoz to build a name and brand as an illustrator, artist, and social activist.
“Graphic design has really helped with branding myself and getting a sense of my identity. I knew what I wanted, but just learning to present myself to overcome the language barriers and cultural differences [in Canada] was important.”
Firoz says she’s always been passionate about art. In Bangladesh she completed her Advanced Level in Science, the equivalent to college in Canada, before realizing her desire to pursue a career in art. Firoz then completed her Advanced Level in Art and Design.
Firoz is a contemporary realist painter and learned from an early age to look at things around her for ideas that could influence her art.
“I started painting things from my surroundings that inspired me and as a way of keeping a memory alive. Painting is a beautiful and meaningful way to put it out there,” Firoz said.
Like other representational art, Firoz’s art is very detailed and focuses on technical skill and execution. What makes Firoz’s art unique is how she addresses culture and identity. As a person of colour, she sees things from a different perspective and wants people to consider art as a universal language to help spread awareness of important social, political, and cultural issues.
Earlier in 2021, Firoz was featured in the Black Lives Matters Social Justice Art Project at UFV. Her submission, The Firefly, portrays a strong woman of colour in a traditional gown standing with clenched fists. The painting symbolizes the necessary struggle for equity and equality in the face of systemic racism.
“The Firefly,” writes Firoz on her webpage, “serves as a reminder for all of the innocent lives lost. This portrait depicts the strength of the Black community and how they have put up a front against the unjust society of white supremacists. The Firefly strives to bring justice, strength, healing, and freedom to the black community and spread awareness to spark a conversation that would eventually instigate a change.”
The publicity Firoz received from the BLM Project led to her selection as one of four artists in the RBC Emerging Artists Project. This national program empowers organizations to create opportunities for up-and-coming artists in film, literature, music, performance, theatre, and visual arts. The RBC Foundation donates millions of dollars every year to help artists like Firoz gain valuable exposure for their work.
Firoz believes UFV has been a huge part in her growth as an artist. The welcome she felt as an “outsider coming from a different culture” allowed her to find a place of acceptance.
“The teachers were tremendous at giving me resources, as well as the opportunities that I should apply for, to help me as an artist. I’m not from here, so these kinds of things aren’t known to someone that’s an outsider. The professors were extremely helpful.”
Firoz also comes from an artistic family and works hard to carry on the family tradition. She includes an inspirational line from a song written by her father, Firoz Mia, who is a lyricist. She says the line holds a lot of emotion in Bangla, her first language.
Chander hashi porle chokhe, keno aghat lage amar buke!
“Why do I feel pain in my heart every time my eyes catch a glimpse of the smiling moon!”
Image: courtesy of Faria Firoz
Steve is a third-year BFA creative writing/visual arts student who’s been a contributing writer, staff writer and now an editor at The Cascade. He's always found stories and adventures but now has the joy of capturing and reporting them.
